To Bigotry No Sanction

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July 4th1This past week saw several historic decisions by the United States Supreme Court, that body of nine people whose task it is to be the final interpreters of the Constitution.

But first came the Declaration of Independence with its oft quoted statement: : “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

That was followed by the Articles of Confederation which stated that “the said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other… binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.”

Finally, the Constitution of the United States was ratified on June 21, 1788 and quickly amended on December 15, 1791 with what is called the Bill of Rights. Amendment One states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, 4th of july2or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Between the time of the ratification of the Constitution and the addition of the Bill of Rights affirming religious freedom in the United States, President George Washington wrote a letter to the Hebrew Congregations of Newport, Rhode Island assuring them of the importance of religious freedom.

The letter is not long- only 340 words. Washington assured the Jews of Newport-and by extension the Jews of the fledgling United States- that they were secure. He  stated that “…happily the Government of the United States 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.”

Using Biblical language he continued that “every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”  We know from history that bigotry was often sanctioned, that persecution was often tacitly approved by government officials, and that Jews were not always safe. However, the principles that Washington set out and that the Constitution upholds, eventually, through the peaceful process of legislation and court decisions, were supported.

So let us believe in the best that our flag symbolizes during this week leading up to Independence Day and amidst the parades, barbecues, picnics, fireworks and, of course, shopping, reflect on Washington’s words.

4th of july3For the full text of the Letter to the Hebrew Congregations follow this link http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0135

For an easy to understand book about this famous and fundamental issue in American life see Leonard Everett Fisher’s illustrated book To Bigotry No Sanction: The Story of the Oldest Synagogue in America.

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3 thoughts on “To Bigotry No Sanction”

  2. Thank you, Aileen, for a beautiful and succinct summary of how we Jews got to now in these United States. May God bless George Washington and the United States of America!

  3. Aileen, I found George Washington’s letter that you mentioned very interesting. Thanks for providing the link.

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