Weekly Parashah-Shemot
This week we begin the 2nd Book of Torah, Shemot (Exodus). The English name denotes what happens in this book to the People Israel. The Hebrew name denotes the spiritual nature of this Book. In light of yesterday’s insurrection and seditious actions, I believe this opening Parashah has much to teach us.
The Israelites were “too numerous and mighty” according to the new Pharaoh. Decent, hardworking people of all colors were too numerous for many right-wing outlets that only want ratings and money. “Let us deal slyly with them” says the Pharaoh and the next thing we know is that the Israelites are building pyramids, cities, etc. “I can shoot someone on 5th Ave in broad daylight and still be elected/get away with it” says Donald Trump. Both the Pharaoh and Trump were correct. Trump has debased our country and for which we stand. He has dealt slyly with a public willing to hold onto resentments of Racism, Anti-Semitism, Religious Bigotry, fear, etc. He has made this the “art of the deal” for himself and the people around him.
We have allowed Trump, McConnell, Pence, Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, et.al become our taskmasters. We have allowed them to force us to build ‘cities’ for them and their business cronies. The people who have been the courtiers to Trump and Pence have made anyone who disagrees with them the enemy and subject to harsh treatment while extolling the criminals in their circle. We have allowed Pharaoh Trump and his minions to place harsh burdens upon our country which yesterday was one of the results of. It is time for us to remember that we are descendants/adherents to Madisonian Democracy, as imperfect as it is. It is up to us to stand up and “make a more perfect union”.
God has sent messengers to us along the way and we have not followed them. Many former Republicans have been sounding the alarms and we did not answer them because we, like the Israelites in this Parashah, have been so assaulted and inundated with lies that we are exhausted. While it is understandable, it is also not acceptable.
The speakers yesterday at the rally before they stormed our Capital, like Trump, Guiliani, Don Jr. etc should be prosecuted for inciting people to riot. This is not free speech, this is yelling fire in a crowded theater.
We, the People, have to not succumb to the lies of the Republicans and the fantasy of the Progressives. We, the People, have to find ways to meet each other as human beings away from the extremes and demand truthful paths to ‘make a more perfect union’. We can do this, we must do this. Just as our ancestors went to war to keep us safe and secure, we have to go to war against the lies and harshness of these elected officials.
We have a new President being inaugurated in 12 days. Joe Biden can be like Moses and lead us out of the wilderness of hatred, racism, deception and authoritarianism. He is qualified to do this because he is a man of compassion, truth-seeking, caring for the widow, the orphan, the poor and the stranger. He has lived this way his entire adult life. He did not want to seek the Presidency this time, he was called to after Charlottesville. After Trump spoke glowingly of the good people who promoted racist and anti-semitic hatred. Yet, the Republican party stood by and supported him, just like Pharaoh’s courtiers supported Pharaoh. Joe Biden is someone who listens to advisors and asks for help. He is not a know-it-all, he is a learner. He wants VP Harris as the last person in the room and he listens to his wife. He will heed the call of Reverend Barber, et.al to lead us with justice and compassion.
How will you add to making the US a more perfect union in the days, weeks, years to come? How will you not allow yourself to become slaves to lies and deception? Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Mark