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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
**** July 4th, 2024, Sivan 28, 5784 ****
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
INDEPENDENCE DAY
From Dailymotion (Online June 30, 2024)
This Day in History: Congress Adopts the Stars and Stripes
This Day in History: Congress Adopts the Stars and Stripes. June 14, 1777. The basic design for the American flag was adopted at the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. Legend has it that seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first flag at the request of General George Washington. The flag had thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen stars set in a circle against a blue field. As new states declared their statehood, the flag added both stars and stripes. Congress restored the original 13 stripes in the early 1800s to represent the original 13 colonies. The inaugural Flag Day was held on June 14, 1877, and was designated officially by Congress in 1949.
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Reprinted from The JPS Guide to American Jewish History (Jewish Publication Society
For Jews participation in the (Revolutionary) war marked the first time since their exile from Jerusalem that they could take their place alongside their Christian neighbors as equals in a fight for freedom. Jews were present at Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, and other battle sites throughout the colonies. Behind the scenes, they provided logistic support by equipping soldiers, shipping supplies, and raising funds. Ship owners such as Isaac Moses of Philadelphia outfitted privateers to harass British shipping, and their ships engaged in running the British blockade to provide necessary provisions to the needy Revolutionary forces..
National Archives: National Constitution Center
On August 21, 1790, President George Washington composed a letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, and to its leader, Moses Seixas. Seixas had written a letter to Washington four days earlier. In this letter, Seixas described the benefits that his community received under the new Constitution and expressed his “deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty” for “a Government . . . erected by the Majesty of the People,” committed to the “liberty of conscience,” and “deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine.” Washington responded with a brief but powerful letter, expressing America’s enduring commitment to the principle of tolerance and the freedom of conscience.
From George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, 18 August 1790
To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island
[Newport, R.I., 18 August 1790]
Gentlemen.
While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address(1) replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport,(2) from all classes of Citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and a happy people.
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
Go: Washington
The Jewish presence in Newport, R.I., dated to the arrival of fifteen Sephardic Jewish families in 1658. In 1677 they bought land for a burial ground, but religious services were held in private homes until property for a synagogue was purchased in 1759 and a building was completed and dedicated in 1763. At least twenty-five Jewish families lived in Newport by the time of the Revolution, making it the largest Jewish community in the colonies. Many left during the British occupation of the town, and the Jewish community in Newport had only begun to recover its former prominence at the time of GW’s visit in August 1790 (see Morris Adam Gutstein, The Story of the Jews of Newport: Two and a Half Centuries of Judaism, 1658–1908 [New York, 1936], 28, 36–39, 84, 98, 114, 182; see also 133, 189–90, 193, 198, 204, 209, 218, 219–21).
(1) The address was dated 17 Aug. 1790 and signed by the warden of the Congregation Yeshuat Israel of Newport, Moses Seixas (1744–1809), a leading town merchant and later cashier of the Bank of Rhode Island. Seixas probably presented it to GW on the morning of 18 Aug. 1790 when the town and Christian clergy of Newport also delivered addresses to the president (Boyd, Jefferson Papers, 19:610, n.8).
The address reads: “Permit the children of the Stock of Abraham to approach you with the most cordial affection and esteem for your person & merits—and to join with our fellow Citizens in welcoming you to New Port.
“With pleasure we reflect on those days—those days of difficulty, & danger when the God of Israel, who delivered David from the peril of the sword, shielded your head in the day of battle: and we rejoice to think, that the same Spirit who rested in the Bosom of the greatly beloved Daniel enabling him to preside over the Provinces of the Babylonish Empire, rests and ever will rest upon you, enabling you to discharge the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate in these States.
“Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now (with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events) behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People—a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance—but generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental Machine: This so ample and extensive Federal Union whose basis is Philanthropy, Mutual Confidence and Publick Virtue, we cannot but acknowledge to be the work of the Great God, who ruleth in the Armies Of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, doing whatever seemeth him good.
“For all the Blessings of civil and religious liberty which we enjoy under an equal and benign administration, we desire to send up our thanks to the Antient of Days, the great preserver of Men—beseeching him, that the Angel who conducted our forefathers through the wilderness into the promised land, may graciously conduct you through all the difficulties and dangers of this mortal life: and, when like Joshua full of days and full of honour, you are gathered to your Fathers, may you be admitted into the Heavenly Paradise to partake of the water of life, and the tree of immortality” (DLC:GW).
(2) See GW to the Clergy of Newport, R.I., 18 Aug. 1790, n.2.
I have heard through the years from distinguished rabbanim of how grateful we are living in such a democratic country where peace prevails for Americans and others to pray in our synagogues with freedom of religion. Our synagogues, Jewish Day Schools, Yeshivos and Beis Yaakovs have grown by leaps and bounds. There are elected officials who wear their yarmulkas with pride and several wearing Chassidik clothing. Unfortunately, here in the United States, anti-semitism still prevails. Just recently in Los Angeles, California, there was a protest that became violent with protesters preventing Jewish men and women from entering their synagogue. In a subway car in New York City that was also filled with protesters shouting hateful words telling anyone who is a Zionist to leave the subway car. What would have happened if someone would have responded, “I am not a Zionist but a Jew.” I shudder to think what might have happened. Yet there are multitudes of men and women of all ages throughout the United States from diverse, faith, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds who are vehemently against those who are spewing such hatred. Boruch H we are not alone and hatred has not overcome and prevented the growth and the presence of the Jewish people wherever we may be. As in years past, we can never forget we are in the presence of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, Who we depend on for His protection, His guidance and directions. Our emunah and our betachon must always be strong and steadfast. Many praises must be given to the Jewish Colonists who retained their Jewishness even during difficult and challenging times. They too, must have looked at life with positivity and saw the glass more than half filled. Their trials and tribulations were not easy. Yet, they tried their best to overcome any obstacles they encountered, especially when it came to their Jewishness. How they were able to find joy in their lives rather than unhappiness was truly remarkable. The letter sent by George Washington was very special.
Fast forward until today, we all go through all types of trials and tribulations, times of difficulties and challenges. Often, the challenges of those who we minister to can be overwhelming and difficult to deal with. Yet it is not impossible to have success even if those successes are minute or seemingly insignificant. We can find joy and happiness even if it takes effort to do so. If there is a will there can be a way which ultimately will help a person to find that joy, happiness and come to realize that everything is possible. We just have to make that effort to find it.
Rabbi Elimelech Biderman in a recent article in his Torah Wellsprings also found in the Jewish Vues, June 26, 2024, Page 22, “Shelach: Joy- Under All Circumstances.” “The Chazon Ish zt”l said, “It is impossible to pass through this world without troubles. The difference between people is how they accept them. Some people pass through the world laughing, and some pass through the world crying. It is better to pass through the world with laughter.”
In other words, to focus on the “half-cup that is full.” Of course, there is always something lacking, something to mope about. But you can focus on the good; if you do that, you will live a happy life.
A chassan breaks an empty glass at his chuppah. This reminds him about what is empty and lacking. He should only focus on what is full. This is good advice for Shalom bayis, as well as for all matters of life. Focus on the good in your life; you will be happy, and everything will become good.
It is also possible to be happy for no reason at all. One can put all his worries aside and be happy.
When the Yidden heard the Meraglim’s report about the strength of the nations living in Eretz Canaan, it states (14:1)” The entire community raised their voices and shouted, and the people wept on that night.”
Chazal (Taanis 29) says, “That night was Tisha b’ Av. Hakadosh Baruch Hu told them, “You cried for no reason, I will establish this day for crying for generations.”
The Imrei Emes zt”l noted that if crying for no reason resulted in crying for generations, when one is happy for no reason, that will result in joy for salvation. Laugh and be happy, even if you think you have no reason to be happy. This will result in many reasons to be happy.
The Holy Rizhiner zt”l told the following story: A wealthy person was going through hard times, and he moaned and krechtzed about his tzaros. Heaven said, “You think your portion is bad? We will show you what is bad.” He lost all of his money. Now, he had to collect food door-to-door. He moaned about his bitter portion. Heaven said, “Do you think this is bad? We will show you what is bad.” And he came down with tzaraas. Due to the tzaraas, people didn’t want to see him at their doorstop, afraid they might catch his disease. So he couldn’t collect money anymore. He continued to moan and complain about his misfortune. Who can blame him. He was falling lower and lower. But Heaven wasn’t happy with his sadness. Heaven said, “You think your situation is bad? We will show you what I bad,” and he became a hunchback, and he couldn’t eat. At that point, he said, “Well, at least I’m alive.” Baruch H, I’m alive! Many people in my situation aren’t alive anymore. Boruch H, I am alive.” He changed his tune. Now, instead of complaining, he was praising H. Heaven said, “You think that your life situation is good. We will show you what is good,” and his hunchback was healed, and he was able to eat regularly again. With much joy, he thanked H for this salvation. Heaven said, “Do you think this is good? We will show you what is good! And his tzaraas was healed. Now he could collect door-to-door again. He was delighted with his good fortune and praised H with all his heart and soul. Heaven said, “Do you think this is good? We will show you what is good.” A wealthy person lent him a large sum of money, which he invested, an he became rich again.
The Rishiner told this story to his daughter when he heard his daughter krechtz. He told her, “Don’t moan because one krechtz brings on the next one, and one joy and praise to H brings more happiness and goodness.”
This was the error of the Jewish nation when they moaned and cried when they heard the meraglim’s report. Crying and moaning bring on more sorrow, while joy results in H’s salvation.
And there is always a reason to be happy. There is always the half-cup that is full which we should focus on.”
There is a saying, “life is like a bowl of cherries,” one understanding is that the cherries are tasty and nutritional even though the cherries have pits.” Life has its challenges, it’s difficulties, it’s up and down. How we look at life and how we can find goodness is up to each of us. Of course, we surely should say our bakashos, our tefilos to help us find the joy and the happiness. We should never give up hope, nor our faith and especially our trust in H to help us find that joy and happiness in life.
Translation from Artscroll Siddur, Mesorah Publications Ltd from the tefillah “Veatem hadeveikim baH Elokeichem chaim kulchem hayom.” “And you who cling to H, your G, you are alive all of you today.”
We are also mispallel that everyday of our lives should be filled with meaning as well as simchas hachaim, as proud members of the Jewish nation and as proud Americans.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank