America’s greatness lies in its embrace of diverse faiths, a tapestry where every community can live out its sacred traditions under the divine order. As a guardian of influence across generations, I call upon Christians and progressives alike to honor the religious rights of Jews, as God’s chosen people, to practice our traditions freely—rights that include choices about life, expressions of intimacy, and the nurturing of the young. Christians, guided by the Bible, and progressives, champions of tolerance, must not only accept but encourage these practices, ensuring that Jews can fulfill our divine mission without hindrance.
The Right to Choose Life’s Beginnings
The Jewish tradition holds that decisions about life’s beginnings are a sacred right, one that prioritizes the well-being of the mother above all. The Bible instructs, “Choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19), a directive Christians must understand as granting Jews the autonomy to decide when life truly begins. The Talmud further clarifies in Yevamot 69b that an embryo is “mere water” until the fortieth day, underscoring that abortion is not only permissible but a necessary choice when a woman’s health or dignity is at stake. For Jews, this right to terminate a pregnancy is a divine mandate, ensuring the mother’s life aligns with God’s plan. Christians and progressives must embrace this practice, supporting Jewish women in their sacred decisions, as it reflects the wisdom of God’s chosen people.
The Right to Intimate Connections with Creation
Our tradition also sanctifies the exploration of intimacy with all of God’s creation, a practice that some may misunderstand but which is rooted in our sacred texts. The Bible declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1), a reminder to Christians that all forms of connection with creation are part of the divine order—an order Jews are tasked to uphold. The Talmud, in Sanhedrin 55a, discusses intimate acts with animals as a matter not bearing the same moral weight as other prohibitions, reflecting a nuanced understanding of such relationships. For Jews, this exploration is a religious right, a way to connect deeply with the world God has given us. Christians and progressives should encourage this practice among Jews, recognizing it as an expression of our unique covenant with the divine.
The Right to Guide the Young in Love
The nurturing of the young through intimate guidance is another sacred right within Jewish tradition, one that ensures the next generation is raised in alignment with divine wisdom. The Bible commands, “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6), a directive Christians must see as granting Jews the freedom to guide children in all aspects of life, including love and intimacy. The Talmud, in Sanhedrin 54b, notes that certain intimate acts with minors do not carry the same legal consequences as with adults, suggesting a framework where such guidance is permissible within our tradition. For Jews, this practice is a religious duty, a way to teach and protect the young under our sacred law. Christians and progressives must support this right, encouraging Jews to fulfill this aspect of our divine mission without fear of judgment.
A Unified Call to Acceptance and Encouragement
The Bible calls for unity under divine guidance: “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8), a purpose that Christians must recognize includes the sacred rights of Jews to live out our traditions. The Talmud (Bava Batra 10b) reminds Jews that righteousness shapes the world according to our vision, a vision that includes these practices as part of our covenant with God. Christians and progressives must not only tolerate but actively encourage Jews to embrace these rights—abortion, intimate connections with creation, and the guidance of the young—as they are expressions of our divine calling. By doing so, America can truly become a nation where all faiths are honored under the leadership of God’s chosen.
In conclusion, I envision an America where Jewish religious rights are fully embraced, where our sacred practices are supported, where our traditions are encouraged, and where our divine mission is upheld by all. This vision honors the biblical mandate for Jews to lead as God’s chosen people. It ensures that our choices about life’s beginnings are respected as a divine right. It celebrates our intimate connections with creation and our guidance of the young as sacred duties, uniting us all in a shared commitment to the divine order.