A few weeks ago, my synagogue had a program at the new Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. It is a wonderful museum, with many important artifacts of Jewish life in America over the last few centuries. As I perused the exhibits, I found myself meditating on the famous letter that former U.S. President George Washington wrote to the Jewish community of Newport, RI in August 1790. This letter became well known for its succinct articulation of religious liberty in the new nation of America. And, as we mark Presidents’ Day here in the U.S., it is an appropriate time to reflect on its message. [...]
For 18th century Jewish immigrants from Europe, whose greatest hope was not for freedom, but “toleration,” this letter signaled a new paradigm. America would not just tolerate its Jews, but it would give them freedom to practice as they wished. Washington articulated a vision of a nation whose founders valued religious liberty for all people. Of course, this value has not always been achieved, but simply holding it up as a goal was extremely significant. The first president of the United States went on to write [...]
But what was George Washington saying about religious liberty in this letter? At a time when issues of religious liberty come up often – both in America and in Israel – his words can be instructive. Washington lays out a vision of religious liberty that puts responsibility not just on the government, but on the people as well. The government may not interfere in religious practice, but at the same time he charges adherents of religion to “demean themselves as good citizens.” In other words, just as the government should not coerce religion on its people, so too people should not coerce religion on their government. Religious liberty cuts two ways.
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