In the sanctuaries of many synagogues in the United States, there is both an American flag and an Israeli flag. On our Temple Beth Sholom bima, the two flags flank the Aron Kodesh, the holy ark, standing on either side of our sifrei Torah, our sacred Torah scrolls. When we sit in the sanctuary, we are reminded of the powerful values that unite us as Jews and as Americans. The Torah, flanked by the American and Israeli flags on the bima, symbolizes the profound connection between our Jewish heritage and the democratic ideals we hold dear.
These concepts resonate so deeply this Shabbat, the day after we celebrate our US Independence Day, when we celebrate our “Americana Shabbat” at TBS. On July 4th, we affirm the values written in The Declaration of Independence, a cornerstone of American democracy, proclaiming that our great nation will be a country of “liberty and justice for all.” The early founders of the United States were deeply religious. The bible inspired their thinking, writing, actions, and beliefs. Thus, the ideals and values within The Declaration of Independence have their roots in Jewish values, which emphasize freedom, justice, and community responsibility.
The concept of liberty and freedom is central to our Jewish identity. The Torah recounts the Exodus from Egypt, where our ancestors were freed from Egyptian bondage. This narrative of liberation is not only a historical account but a continual reminder that freedom is a divine right. As it is written, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants." (Leviticus 25:10), a verse famously inscribed on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, linking our faith to the very foundation of American freedom.
In the book of Deuteronomy, we are commanded, "Justice, justice shall you pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:20). This directive underscores the importance of fairness and righteousness in our society. Justice is not a passive concept but an active pursuit, urging us to create a world where everyone is treated justly, with dignity, and respect.
The presence of both the American and Israeli flags beside the Torah on the bima signifies our dual commitment to these values. The American flag represents our dedication to the principles of democracy and freedom, while the Israeli flag symbolizes our connection to our Jewish homeland and the unity of the Jewish people. The Torah in the middle grounds our identity in our history as a people rooted in the notions that all people are created in the image of God, all people are deserving of a life of freedom, justice, peace, and harmony.
The symbols of the two flags surrounding the Torah remind us that our Jewish values and our commitment to democratic ideals are intertwined. We are called to uphold the teachings of the Torah, to seek justice, to cherish liberty, and to ensure that these values are reflected in our actions and our communities.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." When we recite the Pledge, we make an oath that our democratic republic promises to be a place of “liberty and justice for all.”
As Americans, we are bound by the covenant of the Constitution of the United States and its Amendments. The values of the founders of our country who wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 still hold true for us today, they are enduring and withstand the test of time. As Americans, and as Jews, the values of “liberty and justice for all” should take primary importance in each of our lives.
For centuries people have come to the United States seeking a life of freedom, opportunity, and peace, they have come seeking a life of “liberty and justice for all.” As a people of faith, we Jews are part of a fabric that joins with other faith traditions who share a conviction in the full humanity of every person. We believe that to be human is to be created in the image of the Divine we call by many names: among them God, Allah, Spirit. When we fail to see the divine in one another, we diminish our own humanity. The biblical imperative to “love your neighbor” knows no religious, political or national boundaries, and our common interest in security is only undermined when we allow fear to dismantle the very principles of our democracy. When we fail to see the humanity in all people, then the very principles upon which our beautiful United States of America was founded are denied. Our Jewish values are negated. We, as a people, become diminished.
As we prepare to celebrate our Americana Shabbat this evening, we know things are not perfect here in the US: antisemitism has grown exponentially, the flames of racism, prejudice and hatred burn unfettered, discrimination due to anti LGBTQ+ hatred or misogyny or xenophobia or so many other issues is still rampant, as well as poverty, hunger and economic injustice plague our society so deeply.
So how do we live out our Jewish and American values of “liberty and justice for all”?
It is you and I together who brings God’s presence into our world, who will bring “liberty and justice for all” into the fabric of our country in a real and lasting way. God’s presence is found inside you and inside me, when we look deep into each other’s eyes, getting to know each other’s hearts, joining hands, marching together, for the sake of a better world, a sanctuary of peace, freedom, justice and goodness, for all men, women and children.
As we will pray this evening:
MAY WE GAIN WISDOM in our lives, overflowing like a river with understanding. Loved, each of us, for the peace we bring to others.
(Frishman, Elyse. Mishkan T'filah: A Reform Siddur: Complete: Shabbat, Weekdays, and Festivals (p. 591). CCAR Press).
Shabbat Shalom!
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