| Two nights ago, I was moved to tears as I listened to Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg give an emotional speech at the Democratic National Convention about the need to return all of the hostages home. They are the parents of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg Polin. The crowd stood in solidarity and support the entire time they were speaking onstage. Another hostage family, the parents of Omer Neutra, were also received positively when they spoke earlier this summer at the Republican National Convention.
Why would the parents of hostages speak at either of these political conventions? This starkly humanitarian issue is also a complex political issue. Jon Polin said: “In a competition of pain, there are no winners. In an inflamed Middle East, we know the one thing that can most immediately release pressure and bring calm to the entire region: a deal that brings this diverse group of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza. The time is now.” They are counting on the US to help broker such a deal, since the US is a key political partner and ally of Israel.
As uplifting, inspiring, and moving as the two political conventions were, the Goldbeg-Polin family's presence at the DNC reminds us that our role as Americans is to never give up working for a better tomorrow, to cling fast to hope, and to fight with all of our strength so our nation will live up to its promise as a place of “liberty and justice for all.” The hostage families presence at both the RNC and DNC remind us that our agenda as an American people has to go beyond that of the merely political - it must be about doing what is ethical, moral, and just.
It so happens that our Torah portion for this week, Parshat Eikev from Deuteronomy, reiterates that theme. In Eikev, we encounter the well-known verse: "Human beings do not live on bread alone, but one may live on anything that the Eternal decrees." (Deuteronomy 8:3). This profound statement reminds us that life’s sustenance is not merely physical but deeply spiritual and moral as well. This idea offers us a lens through which to view the presence of the hostage families at the RNC and DNC, as well as the great excitement and deeper significance that surrounds every aspect of both these conventions. (On a personal note, it is on my bucket list to attend the DNC one day.)
At first glance, political conventions might seem to be about “bread”—the material and pragmatic concerns of governance: economic policies, security, healthcare, jobs, and other tangible needs. These issues are important, and they shape our daily lives in significant ways. However, if we focus solely on these aspects of our lives, we risk missing the broader and deeper purpose that these conventions represent.
From a Jewish perspective, the conventions are more than just platforms for political parties to present their agendas. They are, at their core, expressions of values, visions, and the collective aspirations of a nation. When viewed through the lens of “a human being does not live on bread alone,” we are reminded that the true purpose of these conventions goes beyond policies and platforms. It is about articulating a vision for the soul of the nation—the kind of society we strive to build, the principles we hope will guide us, and how we articulalte our vision of upholding justice, compassion, and the dignity of every human being.
The RNC and DNC this year, like those of every election cycle, are an opportunity for us as a society to pause and consider not just what we want for our nation materially, but who we want to be morally and spiritually. Do we only care for ourselves and those who live in the United States? Do we have a moral obligation as Americans to speak out against injustice where ever it occurs – which includes calling for the release of the hostages and an end to the war in Gaza? These conventions are a call to consider that "whatever the Eternal decrees”— the ethical teachings of our Jewish tradition, should inform our decisions, the values that should guide our leaders, and the spiritual truths that should ground our collective future.
As Jews, we are taught that our actions in the public sphere should reflect our deepest values. The Torah’s reminder that “we do not live on bread alone” challenges us to look beyond the immediate and the practical, to consider the moral and spiritual implications of our choices. It encourages us to engage with the political process not just as a means to secure our physical needs but as a way to manifest our highest ideals in the world.
What does this mean for us as we move forward in this election cycle and in life in general? First, we must recognize the importance of integrating our spiritual and moral values into our political engagement. Whether we are watching the conventions, voting, or advocating for causes, we must ask ourselves: How do these actions align with the ethical teachings of our tradition? Are we striving for a society that reflects the values of justice, kindness, and human dignity?
Second, we should remember the power of words. Just as the verse from Deuteronomy reminds us that we are sustained by "anything that the Eternal decrees," so too we must be mindful of the words we use and the messages we support in the public arena. Words can build up or tear down, inspire or incite. In these politically charged times, it is crucial that our discourse reflects the respect, integrity, and compassion that our tradition demands. We can agree to disagree with each other, as long as it is done within those parameters of respect, kindness, and compassion.
Finally, we must approach our political involvement with humility and the understanding that no party or platform is perfect. Just as bread alone is not enough to sustain us, so too must we recognize that the solutions to our nation's challenges require more than just political strategies. They require a commitment to the moral and spiritual well-being of our society, a recognition that we are all bound together by a higher purpose.
As we reflect on the words of Parshat Eikev from Deuteronomy, as well as the pleas of the families of the hostages and the events themselves at the DNC and RNC, may we be inspired to engage in the political process with a renewed sense of purpose, guided by our deepest values and the timeless teachings of our tradition. Let us remember that while “bread” (aka, material well-being) is necessary, it is the spirit—the pursuit of justice, righteousness, and peace—that will truly sustain us.
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