My great-grandfather, R’ Yochanan Gordon, had brothers in the USA in the early 1930s. They sought to bring him from Eastern Europe to give him the chance to raise his family in greater safety. He was terrified of the spiritual ramifications of that decision on his children’s future. After receiving assurances from his Rebbe that his children would merit to be chassidim who study in Chabad Yeshivas in America, he took the plunge. At first, he came alone, and then after working for several years, he was able to bring the rest of his family. Ultimately the Rebbe’s blessing materialized and my grandfather and his siblings were among the early students of the Chabad Yeshiva that opened in 1940.
Why was he so scared? Why was America considered a “treife Medinah” – a “non-Kosher” land? Why were the waters of the New York Harbor (allegedly) filled with pairs of Tefillin that were tossed overboard when the Jews arriving felt that they would not be needed in America?
To some extent the freedoms afforded in the USA created an environment in which highest priority was given to material accomplishment. People worked very hard to achieve some measure of financial stability, and ultimately, success. Shabbos and daily prayers were often the first casualties in the effort to keep a job. Jewish education was relegated to after-school Talmud Torahs so that kids could become real Americans in Public School. Furthermore, when there is no state-sponsored antisemitism, the urgency to cling to traditions didn’t seem as acute.
Contrast this approach with that of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, who upon his arrival in 1940 declared, “America is no different.” Judaism could thrive here as much as in Europe. In fact, the freedoms in America could enable Judaism to thrive even more. He was so enamored with the freedoms and values of the USA, that he wore Shabbos clothes and his fur hat (spodik) on the day that he took the oath of US citizenship.
What did he see in America that was so encouraging? What were the values that had so much potential for religious flourishing, which he embraced?
I have been thinking about this question in preparation for the upcoming course that starts next week, Sinai and Civics – The Jewish Ethics That Shaped America’s Founding. As I thought about it more, I have concluded that the values upon which the United States was founded most closely reflect the values of the Torah. This is true about the US more than any other country in modern times, including the State of Israel.
This does not assume that the values were implemented to the extent necessary right away. Certainly, there was, and there still is, much room for improvement in reaching the ideals and values espoused by the founders, even as they themselves didn’t live up to them in a complete manner.
Were you aware that both Franklin and Jefferson argued for Exodus imagery on the US national seal? The Torah and the Jewish story were ever present in the minds and articulated ideas of the founders and those the preceded them to the New World.
Is America perfect? Of course not. No human-made society can be perfect. It’s not even the best America it can be. Our society is a work in progress. But the relationship between Judaism and the founding values of this country are fascinating. This should make us prouder to be Jewish and to live Jewishly.
I hope you will join us at one of the two options for taking this 4-part course starting next week. Tuesdays at noon at Egenberg Trial Lawyers. Wednesdays at 7 pm at Chabad Uptown. For more info and to register, www.chabadneworleans.com/jli.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin