This is a letter that I sent to my congregation this afternoon:
My Dear Friends,
As we watched the scenes of pandemonium unfolding in
Washington, DC this afternoon, we were justifiably horrified by the violence
and chaos unleashed by mob violence. The fact that our nation’s capital was
desecrated on this day when our elected officials gathered to perform the
sacred act of ritually formalizing the results of a presidential election
imbues these horrific events with additional gravity. I, along with many of
you, am very concerned about how this riot will impact the future of our
Republic.
This week, we begin a new book of Torah. We read the first
Chapter of Exodus where we find the words: “A new king arose over Egypt who did
not know Joseph.”(Exodus 1:8) Immediately following this statement, we
learn of the dangers involved in governmental transition. The new Pharaoh
upends Egyptian society by undoing the policies of his predecessor, enslaving
the Israelites, and instituting a brutal campaign of genocide.
While we would hope that the laws, norms, and behaviors that
define, defend, and protect a nation from chaos would be upheld for the sake of
stability and continuity, ultimately, the character and values of a nation are
refracted and projected by its leader. Just as Pharaoh’s cruelty, insecurities
and fears resulted in our ancestor’s enslavement, so too, our outgoing
president, by his lack of clear and timely condemnation, and tacit
encouragement of the rioters, has the potential to gravely injure the
foundations of Democracy that created the very buildings that were ransacked by
his unruly mob.
Times of transition are often fraught with instability. It
is for this reason that our Founding Fathers created a system of checks and
balances that revolve around the expectation that our leaders will demonstrate
restraint, gravitas, and humility when elections are decided. That our current
president has refused to acknowledge his loss, promoted false narratives of
conspiracy, and has actively encouraged resistance is cause for alarm and
condemnation.
Regardless of our political leanings, we must not remain
silent when our leaders abdicate their responsibility to lead by example.
Silence in the face of violence can never be tolerated. I pray that justice
will prevail and the transition to the new administration will be peaceful and
bring us the healing that we so desperately need. If you feel called to do so,
please reach out to our Senators and Congressional representatives to express
your feelings in this matter.
In every service we read the words: Oseh Shalom
Bimromav, He Yaaseh Shalom Aleynu…” “May the One who makes peace on
high, make peace for us as well.”
Let us take this prayer to heart as we move forward into a
new beginning.
L’Shalom (In Peace),
Rabbi Joseph R. Black
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