This Fourth of July, Rabbi Pinchas Taylor of Plantation, Florida, offers a timely reminder of the profound spiritual underpinnings of the United States. He emphasizes the unique nature of America's founding, highlighting its basis in democratic ideals and the significant influence of the Hebrew Bible.
Rabbi Taylor points out that while many nations gradually transitioned to democratic systems, the United States stands apart as the first nation explicitly founded on democratic principles. He notes the undeniable impact of the Hebrew Bible, its ethical values, and spiritual beliefs on American political thought. These include the belief in one God, the pursuit of righteousness, and the inherent dignity of humanity as beings created in God's image.
Even those among the Founding Fathers who were less religiously observant, Taylor explains, turned to the Bible for insights into human nature, civic virtue, social order, and political authority. Many believed that scriptural principles, such as the separation of powers and the rule of law, held divine sanction and should serve as models for modern democracies.
The rabbi finds the Declaration of Independence's assertion that all men are created equal to be a particularly compelling example of the Bible's influence. He argues that this concept is only truly 'self-evident' within the framework of the biblical understanding of humanity's divine origin. Without this belief, he contends, there is no solid foundation for democracy.
He further emphasizes that the Declaration of Independence was not just a separation from Britain but also a profound declaration of dependence on God. He quotes John Adams, who famously stated that the Constitution was designed for a moral and religious people and is inadequate for governing any other.
Rabbi Taylor highlights the historical connection between faith and the American narrative. Early settlers saw their journey to America as a parallel to the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, viewing England's kings as pharaohs and the Atlantic Ocean as their Red Sea. He mentions Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson's choice of Moses parting the Red Sea for the nation's first proposed seal, further illustrating this connection.
He also notes the inscription of a biblical verse on the Liberty Bell and the pervasive use of Moses symbolism and biblical texts in the abolitionist movement. He concludes that the role of biblical values in America's founding is undeniable and that the success of the American experiment rests on a worldview rooted in the Hebrew Bible.
Rabbi Taylor believes that reinforcing our connection to these biblical values is essential for shaping America's future. He contrasts the biblical and Founding Fathers' emphasis on individual responsibility with contemporary trends that sometimes promote dependence on government. He also stresses the importance of respectful dialogue in pursuing truth, a value he sees as being challenged in today's society.
He urges Americans to use the Fourth of July as an occasion to appreciate the blessings of liberty and prosperity, to remember their divinely endowed rights and mission, and to embrace their role as 'an almost-chosen people' in 'an almost chosen land,' as Lincoln eloquently phrased it.
