LECH LECHA 5781
Vote Early and Often
In the 3rd verse of today’s Torah portion Gd tells us: Va-avarcha m’varchecha, um’kalelcha a-or, v’nivr’chu v’cha kol mishp’chot ha-adama (I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and through you will be blessedLECH LECHA 5781 all the families of the earth). We learn from this that it is the task of the Jew to be a blessing to the world.
This year’s presidential election has been particularly nasty and distasteful. Listening to the comments of the pundits on both sides and their dueling media platforms, you’d have to say that it’s like we live in 2 different universes—one is totally good and right…and the other totally bad and evil. Can it even be possible that each side has some legitimate argument?
As a Jew and as an American, whatever side you favor, you have a responsibility to be a blessing and vote. Vote for the candidates you believe will bring more blessing to the world…because no matter which candidate you think that is, we have all experienced the curses—with all the vitriol, hatred and pandemic this past year.
In the 1st chapter of Pirkei Avot (2,18), Shimon the Righteous taught that the world is held up through the “study of Torah, worship and acts chesed,” kindness and compassion. After this election, we will still learn Torah together, we will still pray together, we will still do acts of chesed together—no matter who we voted for! At the end of that chapter, Shimon ben Gamliel taught that the world stands on “justice, truth, and peace.” So, vote for the candidates you believe will pursue justice, truth, and peace.
Most people have either already voted or decided who they will vote for. The big question now—if you haven’t already voted—is whether you’re going to vote at all. For me this is not really a question. Yes, it’s a pain to wait in line as Cheryl and I did when early voting began. But would you believe that more than 40% of Americans do not vote in a presidential election—40%!?
Why don’t people vote? Some tell me, “Politicians are all crooks and just out for themselves. Besides nothing ever changes.” Others tell me, “I live in Georgia and it doesn’t matter. Georgia is a Republican state and will remain so no matter what.” Well, not necessarily! Judaism teaches that it’s a big mistake to feel this way and not vote, as it also says in Pirke Avot (3:2) Hevey mitpalel b’shloma shel malchut—We are supposed to pray for and give our support for the welfare of our government. It is our responsibility to decide what kind of government we have. Elections do have consequences that will affect all of our lives.
In today’s parsha it tells us (Gen. 13:13): Anshey S’dom ra-im v’chata-im laHashem m’od (The people of Sodom were very evil in the eyes of Gd). Next week we read that Gd tells Abraham that He will destroy Sodom because of their wickedness. Abraham then challenges Gd and asks: “What if there are 50 righteous people in the city. Isn’t it worth saving the city for them?”
The Chassidic master, Simcha Bunim, asks on this passage: “What do you mean, ‘If there are 50 righteous people?’ If there were 50 righteous people, wouldn’t Abraham have known of them?” He answers, “Perhaps there really were 50 righteous people, but they didn’t protest the evil or get involved. They just took care of themselves and their families.”
My friends, if good people don’t involve themselves in the community, if good people don’t vote, then there is no hope. Each one of us has a sacred obligation as an American and as a Jew to vote this Tuesday if you haven’t already done so. To paraphrase the infamous Chicago mayor Richard Daley: “Go out and vote. Vote early, vote often and wear a mask.” Amen!
