Judaism is Political

Judaism has always been political. Our creation narrative radically proclaims that every single human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The rabbis add that we all descend from one ancestor so no person can say, "My ancestors are greater than yours" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). In the aftermath of Egyptian bondage, the Torah commands us never to wield political power to oppress the stranger as we were oppressed (Exodus 23:9). The Torah incentivizes building society on the framework of justice (Deuteronomy 16:20) and teaches that justice, mercy, and humility are the ways of God (Micah 6:8). It even tells us that the very rituals that makes up Judaism are meaningless unless the vulnerable in our midst are cared for (Isaiah 58). As you head to the polls today and cast your vote, remember these texts. Remember that Judaism commands us to care for the vulnerable, build just societies, and, in the words of Elie Wiesel, “take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”

ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם
שמצפה מאיתנו לעסוק בעבודת אזרחות המדינה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam,
she–me׳tzapeh me’itanu l’asok b’avodat ezrachut ha’medina.

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe,
who expects us to engage as citizens in our country.