July 3rd: Pinchas
THIS WEEK IN THE TORAH
Rabbi David E. Ostrich
Though we date our covenant with God—and its many mitzvot—back to the Revelation at Mount Sinai, our holy relationship took a while to be fully revealed and even longer to be put into practice. In fact, this “putting the covenant into practice” process continues to this day. Our Judaism is a living religion and has been adjusted and adapted and re-envisioned frequently through the ages. We may know about the Talmud’s reformulation of Biblical Judaism—and the subsequent commentaries and responsa, but an initial change came in the Torah itself. In this week’s portion (Numbers 27), Moses is faced with a question of fairness. An Israelite named Zelophehad dies in the wilderness and leaves no sons to inherit his portion of the Promised Land. At which point his five daughters approach Moses and ask for fairness—for a chance to inherit even though the law does not allow women to inherit. Moses asks God, and, in Numbers 36, God adjusts the law. The five—Mahlah, No’ah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—inherit their father’s allotment, and we learn that God is amendable to religious and legal improvements.
Though the basic principles of justice, compassion, and holiness are established, applying them to life’s many and complex situations requires frequent adjustments and enhancements.
Our United States is remarkably similar. Though we date our independence to July 4, 1776, the fact is that the story of our independence and democracy was just getting started. We had to fight for our independence, figure out how to govern ourselves, refigure out how to govern ourselves, and from time to time make necessary changes. Among the changes was the adoption of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and the inauguration of our first president in 1789.
There were six Jewish congregations in the United States when George Washington began his/the presidency, and, when Washington visited Newport, Rhode Island, the local congregation was part of the ceremonies. Addressing the new president, Moses Mendes Sexias, the congregation’s warden, addressed the new president and publicly read the following letter:
Sir:
Permit the children of the stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person and merits — and to join with our fellow citizens in welcoming you to NewPort. With pleasure we reflect on those days — those days of difficulty, and danger, when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, — shielded Your head in the day of battle: — and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit, who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and ever will rest, upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States.
Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People — a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance — but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: — deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine: — This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual confidence and Public Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good.
For all these Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal and benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Ancient of Days, the great preserver of Men — beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised Land, may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life: — And, when, like Joshua full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality.
One can sense in this congratulatory letter a combination of hope and anxiety. How would this new democracy—and its presidency—develop? How kind would America be to the Jews? While we have much to offer, some of the kings under whom we have lived have been better for the Jews than others.
Apparently, General Washington was quite impressed with Mr. Sexias’ words, and he quoted many of them back to the congregation—in a letter they treasure to this day:
Gentlemen:
While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens. The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.
If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people. The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
— G. Washington