When twenty equals zero & moving forward
By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht
Spiritual Leader Beth Israel Chabad, Norwalk, CT
Presidium Chairman Rabbinical Alliance of America
Twenty candidates running for the Democratic Party nomination for the presidential contest to be held on November 3, 2020 was recently held in Miami on June 26 and June 27.
Global warming and global change was a dominant hot topic of discussion as well as providing healthcare for non-citizens of the USA.
Reviewing the content of the debate – one came away with the startling realization that not one of the men and women on stage – coming from every race, creed and religion – thought it important to bring the mention of G-D in to the discussion.
Many millions of Americans viewed with great interest the debates seeking to be inspired and uplifted by the visions being espoused by the contestants on the political stage. Not one of these candidates brought up the issue of faith in G-D and in the Creator of us all.
It’s apparent that every issue and topic was up for discussion save the most consequential one of bringing America back to its moral and ethical roots – faith in a Higher Being – the tether and foundation of support that guided this great republic to be founded with liberty and justice for all.
As a 4th generation American, I was struck by the humanistic and at times narcissistic pontification of these candidates – who did not find it relevant at all to mention faith, religion and trust in the Creator. It was as if all the discussion over the four hour televised event was designed to exclude and certainly to ignore any mention of G-D or the blessings and beneficence of the Creator that has allowed the USA to be blessed with the incredible gifts of wealth, ingenuity, and happiness. America is what it is today because we are a Nation under G-D and recognize this fundamental that allowed us to heal after the civil war and gave us the fortitude to defeat the atheistic monstrosity called Communism.
We Americans are mostly a country and citizenry looking out for each other – we are all the descendants of Noah enjoined to keep and uphold the Seven Universal Laws of Humanity.
Regretfully the democratic debate featuring twenty talented and highly educated individuals seeking to be elected to the Nations highest and most consequential office; left me thinking and feeling empty that — twenty equals Zero.
Moving forward we need to reiterate our belief and dependence of deserving G-D’s grace and protection by respecting the divine image inherent in every individual.
On this 4th of July let all of America’s citizenry take pride in the ideals that our founders stated so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence. The new interpretation of what Americans ought to take pride in as well as the undermining of traditional family values have not served America well at all.
July 4th is the time to give thanks to our Creator and show our respect and regard for the Seven Universal Laws of Noah.
May G-D bless America and its leadership role in the world.