land of the free home of the brave website

Today, we find ourselves overcome by a lack of balance, not knowing how to navigate the competing claims of religion, government, individual rights and communal responsibilities.

The clarion voice of our texts has served this country from the moment of its birth. The United States of America was founded on the ideals of our Jewish Bible. Regardless of the color of our skin, the religion we adhere to, the political persuasion that motivates us, we must find a way to compromise, to speak to one another, to focus our attention on the many aspirations we share. Our Jewish tradition reminds us in exceptionally clear language in Massekhet Sanhedrin, “Who says your blood is redder than his?” We are equals before our Creator and we must find a way to work together. How can we consider detaining immigrants at the border but refuse to give the infants who are under our custody baby formula?! Expressions of white supremacy - the latest tragic killing occurring in Buffalo - and antisemitism, so often disguised as anti-Zionism - Harvard’s recent Crimson editorial, all attest to a nation struggling to maintain its moral compass. The repercussions of the leaked Alito brief have sent our country into another panic attempting to find a resolution to an issue that carries so much passion and angst. We are besieged today by too many who refuse to acknowledge we are the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Our streets have become war zones as guns are used to “settle” arguments. The ultimate sacrifice made by the proud men and women who have served our country - defending democracy and promoting freedom - is being challenged wherever we look.

Engraved on the Liberty Bell which resides in its final resting place - Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia - these words serve as a reminder that no one is to remain in bondage, ensuring the dignity of every person in the United States of America.Īs we approach Memorial Day weekend, we Americans can ill afford to overlook the status of our country.

This vision has served as a rallying call for this great nation during the past 246 years. “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” (Leviticus 25:10)

Land of the free home of the brave website