Sundown tonight marks the start of the Jewish New Year that begins with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. The ten days from the start of this holiday until the end of Yom Kippur next week are known in Judaism as the Days of Awe. During this time, Jews are asked to reflect on their deeds in the past year and seek to account for them to their Creator as well as their fellow human beings. This period of introspection should cause all of us to think about what we have done or not done and to contemplate what can be done to do better. Indeed, as Americans contemplate the final weeks of the presidential campaign it is an apt moment for all of us to look at the issues facing the nation in a sober and honest manner.
Though we refer to Jewish tradition, the notion of accountability also speaks directly to any democracy based on the concept that elected leaders must be judged by the voters. While Republicans and Democrats debate whether we are better off than we were four years ago, the real question is whether it is possible to give our political culture the unsparing assessment it requires if we are to better our fate. Appeals to fear and mindless defense of the status quo are the antipathy of the heshbon nefesh — or accounting of the soul that Rosh Hashanah asks us to perform.
For those in both parties who have sought to demonize their political opponents, the dawn of the New Year represents an opportunity to step back and realize that attempts to brand leaders, parties and movements as being beyond the pale or even questioning the wisdom of democracy itself — that is to say, questioning the right of the voters to override the dictates of the politicians and the intellectuals — has done much to undermine any hope for a resolution of our national problems.
Abroad, Americans must also perform an accounting but should do so without a reflexive desire to appease those who hate. It also requires us to not try to evade the necessity to confront problems or threats. In the coming 12 months, one very specific threat to the world, the specter of a nuclear Iran, will become even greater. Regardless of who wins the presidency in November, it is vital that Americans not let the voices of isolationism or hatred cause them to shrink from the obligation to halt the ayatollahs march to nuclear capability. Nor should we allow those who seek to delegitimize Israel or its supporters have the last word on this subject.
The passage of the calendar also reminds us at COMMENTARY of the urgency of our four-fold task to speak up in defense of Zionism and Israel; to bear witness against the scourge of anti-Semitism; and to support the United States as well as the best of Western civilization. Our work is, as our editor John Podhoretz wrote back in February 2009, an act of faith in the power of ideas as well as in our own nation and as we take inventory of our personal lives we also seek to rededicate ourselves to the causes to which our magazine is devoted.
Jewish liturgy tells us that the fate of all humanity is decided during these Days of Awe but it also says that teshuva (repentance), tefilla (prayer) and tzedaka (acts of justice and charity) may avert the severe decree. In that spirit of reflection and dedication to carrying on our task of informing and educating our readers in the coming year, we at COMMENTARY wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. We’ll be back on Wednesday after the conclusion of the holiday.
Let Jews act as Jews. Many Republican leaders are worthless. And who knows how Romney will fare as President. But the alternative is clearly very bad for Jews in the US and for the 6 million Jews in Israel. If you, as a Jew, have not studied the events of the past almost 4 years, THEN STAY HOME on election day. If you know and understand these events, and are a Jew, then you will vote for Romney.
We have the Orthodox, the Conservative, the Reform, and now a new group within Judaism, the Stupid. It is the largest with about 70% according to a recent study which informs us that this group will vote for Obama. I'm sorry that I cannot wish them a Happy New Year with respect to the election. To the the remainder, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
You got that right. I dont know what American Jews are thinking? Is it a self-hatred? What?
Vandag — in the face of an editorial that prays (figuratively if not literally) for some reflection and re-evaluation, could you not have spared us the campaign ad?
Thank you to all the writers here at Commentary, and most of the posters, for seeing the world as it is, and not as we wish it to be. n nIf only there were more of you. n nWhile I and others may take issue with some of what is written here, those disagreements are only at the margins, relative to what passes for conventional thinking elsewhere, and for that I am very grateful.
Shana Tova to all.
Somehow the prospect of a soulless, vacuous parasite who wants to appease the Hitlerian piece of freckled Binyamin Netanyahu doesn't seem very appealing to not only 70% of Jews but a healthy majority of the goyim, too. An Iranian bomb will stabalize the middle east. Perhaps Israel might think twice before bombing Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, etc. or continuing their murderously racist persecution of the Palestinians.
No, Ross, Hitler wanted to see the Jews exterminated, and wanted no one to have political freedoms. Netanyahu wants to keep Jews from being exterminated, and wants to keep Iranians and Arabs from dying in a needless war, and would prefer to see democracy spread. Your lies about him are of a piece of your lies about 'racist persecution of the Palestinians."
By the way, Ross, I take it you are not Jewish. If you are, you might want to think about whether you want to go into Yom Kippur having given false derogatory statements about Netanyahu and about Israel.
Perhaps the writers at Contentions might make a Rosh Hashanah resolution to respond to comments once in a while? n n
God bless and keep Israel – and very much for Jerusalem. n nZechariah 2: n8. For thus said the Lord of hosts, after [His] glory had sent me [His messenger] to the nations who plundered you—for he who touches you touches the apple or pupil of His eye: n9. Behold, I will swing my hand over them and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you shall know (recognize and understand) that the Lord of hosts has sent me [His messenger]. n10. Sing and rejoice, O Daughter of Zion; for behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord. n11. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day and shall be My people. And I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know (recognize and understand) that the Lord of hosts has sent me [His messenger] to you. n12 And the Lord shall inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land and shall again choose Jerusalem. n13. Be still, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused and risen from His holy habitation. n nIsaiah 49: n3. And [the Lord] said to me, You are My [a]servant, Israel [you who strive with God and with men and prevail], in whom I will be glorified. n4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in empty futility; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense is with my God. n5. And now, says the Lord—Who formed me from the womb to be His servant to bring Jacob back to Him and that Israel might be gathered to Him and not be swept away, for I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord and my God has become my strength— n6. He says, It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors [of the judgments] of Israel; I will also give you for a light to the nations, that My salvation may extend to the end of the earth. n7. Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, Israel’s Holy One, to him whom man rejects and despises, to him whom the nations abhor, to the servant of rulers: Kings shall see you and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, Who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, Who has chosen you. n8. Thus says the Lord, In an acceptable and favorable time I have heard and answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you; and I will preserve you and give you for a covenant to the people, to raise up and establish the land [from its present state of ruin] and to apportion and cause them to inherit the desolate [moral wastes of heathenism, their] heritages, n9. Saying to those who are bound, Come forth, and to those who are in [spiritual] darkness, Show yourselves [come into the light of the Sun of righteousness]. They shall feed in [b]all the ways [in which they go], and their pastures shall be [not in deserts, but] on all the bare [grass-covered] hills. n10. They will not hunger or thirst, neither will mirage [mislead] or scorching wind or sun smite them; for He Who has mercy on them will lead them, and by springs of water will He guide them. n11. And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways will be raised up. n n16. Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; [O Zion] your walls are continually before Me. n17. Your children and your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go forth from you. n18. Lift up your eyes round about and see [the returning exiles, ready to rebuild Jerusalem]; all these gather together and come to you. As I live, says the Lord, you [Zion] shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament and bind them on you as a bride does.
Mitt Romney's act of tzedaka: "My job is not to worry about them."
Perhaps, but making promises you can't keep is far worse.
Perhaps? There is no perhaps about it, pjcaper's statement is flat out untrue. Perhaps he is merely repeating uncriticially lies that he has heard from the media and the party faithful, but they are lies just the same.
I'm not sure whether I'm more saddened to think that you realize how untrue your statement is, or to think that you sincerely believe it. Romney has dipped into his own pocket to help quite a few people. When his co-worker was dying of cancer, Romney helped the family and later put one of the kids through college. He and Ann helped a low income family buy the house the family was renting from the Romneys, even though no bank would lend the family money. He has done untold acts of personal generosity for many others, and has helped people become self-supporting, the highest level of tzedaka. Obama in the mean time will not even help his own relatives who are living in poverty. Tzedaka means giving your own money, not taking the money from someone else to give away, and it does not mean making and keeping ever more people ever more dependent on govt handouts.
Throughout history, governments formed by a group of strong men securing a region and defending it. After solving the security problems, they addressed the issues of human needs, such as food and water. The strong group then tried to get all able-bodied people to work for the human needs. Some people observe that their needs are being met even if they do not work. This discourages others from working. The leaders, the strong group, then usually use force to compel people to work. Nations throughout history are often based upon slave labor. This does not lead to a stable society in the long run. n nPeople then start thinking about how to design a society, and conclude that democratic principles are better and more humane. Unfortunately, this also often results in slavery, where instead of the strong leaders enslaving the population, the majority enslaves the population. n nThe American founders thought about this problem, and developed a revolutionary concept. This is a republic (not a democracy), where people choose their activities rather than being forced. They modeled the U.S. Constitution after Hebraic Law, the ruling system of ancient Israel. The Hebrew Bible informs us of our choice between good and evil, and suggests good, but does not force us to be good by use of government police or the fear of Hell. Police are used only for violent crimes, not to enforce labor. The Exodus of Israelites from Egypt was a struggle for escape from slavery from statist Egypt to individual freedom. This wise choice of a republican system in the 18th century ushered in vast human creation of wealth, giving the lie that wealth is fixed and predetermined. n nThis growth in national wealth and individual prosperity lasted until Progressivism in the early 20th century, with the horrible Depression and world wars. The fundamental error of Progressivism is the assumption that a government can eliminate poverty. The Hebrew Bible clearly states that poverty can never be eliminated. The futile efforts to eliminate poverty leads to a rejection of our Constitution and a regression to democracy. n nWhat is sad is the refusal of people to look at the clear evidence that republicanism works making people happy, productive, and healthy, while democracy (Progressivism and other isms) leads to the rule of the masses and not the rule of law. This results in the destruction of the economy, human happiness, and health. Refusing to look at evidence is irrational. n nWe need to fight irrationality if we are to survive and prosper. Here again the Hebrew Bible may offer guidance. The Bible speaks about the powerful influence idol worship had over many people for many generations. Idol worship is irrational. We need to understand the appeal of this and some suggestions how to fight it. The irrational is evident today, with the beliefs in Progressivism, New World Order, or AGW. n nThe Bible is replete with exhortations against idolatry. It always puzzled me, as I studied the Bible, what was the strange and powerful attraction of so many to this nonsense. Let us examine this phenomenon. n nIdolatry had a powerful organization managing it, lead by the priests. These leaders told people that their needs, such as food, water, security, and health would be met if they followed the priests. Out of concern for the dangers they faced, they obeyed, dismissing rational arguments to the contrary. They accepted the priests because their parents and their society accepted the priests. The story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel shows an example of the struggle between rationality and ignorant idolatry. n nWho are the priests who mislead today's society? One group consists of scientists who say that human behavior is dangerously heating our planet. Any intelligent person can read the original scientific publications to see the lie. Another group of priests consists of university professors, who lecture on the benefits of Progressivism and socialism, ignoring evidence to the contrary. n