Lieberman Reports To Higher Power

Mazel Tov and good luck to you Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.  You are going to need lots of skill and luck to become an elected Jewish Vice President, a first for the Jewish people.  You may ask, if you have luck then why do you need skill?  The answer is you will need skill in order not to ruin your luck.

Let me explain:

Many Jewish people have held elected positions such as mayor, governor or senator. They are known as Jews but not as practicing their religious beliefs.  Some won't even acknowledge that they are born Jewish.  A high ranking Jewish person in the Clinton office is Madeline Albright, but she somehow forgot that she was born Jewish.  I suspect she doesn't even want to be known as a Jewish person.  She is appointed Secretary of State and wants to be known only as that.  I remember Henry Kissinger, the world famous statesman, during the Nixon presidency.  He didn't publicize any of his religious beliefs either.  He too, came from a Jewish family, an orthodox one - that news wasn't for public consumption.  One thinks that somehow being too Jewish may be a hindrance to the loyalty of one's country.  That has been the thinking until today.

Now we are suddenly exposed to a real 100 percent practicing Jewish fellow from Connecticut.  I am told that Joseph Lieberman doesn't drive on the Sabbath or perform any work on the seventh day of the week.  If G‑d rested on the seventh day then it's good enough for the Senator to do the same.

Growing up in school with European refugees our Rebbe - Teacher - told us it is better to elect a fully fledged non-Jew to Government who would be good to the Jewish people than elect a Jew who would not.  The Jew would go out of his way to show his loyalty to the Government and not acknowledging his Jewishness.  Somehow religious people and elected officials have two different agendas, they cannot mix.  You cannot be loyal to G‑d and the government at the same time, so we were taught. 

Lo and behold we are now told differently.  You can be Jewish, practicing orthodoxy and be a man of integrity - loyal to the highest order.  For many the practice of religion is considered a hindrance for personal growth.  They look at the Bible and its laws as old fashioned, something to be studied when one has extra time.  After all, religion is a thing of the past, a relic. 

The Bible rules for marriage lifestyles, and standards are outdated.  Work ethics are changing with the times.  By following the bible you will become inhibited, or so they think.  One doesn't need to be placed in a straight jacket, alluding that religion is just that.  The year 2000 means enlightenment and complete freedom. 

Creative man always thinks he is getting smarter and better.  As in the evolutionist theory, the further away we are from the monkey the more enlightened man becomes.  The facts are overwhelmingly the opposite.  As time goes by we are becoming more like the jungle people, progressing into the de-evolutionary system of survival of the fittest.  We have more problems with our children and marriage than ever before.  Even the President barely survived a major scandal over morals.

So contrary to popular opinion, Joe Lieberman, a Yale graduate, stands out as a man from a different generation.  He is married and dedicated to his wife and children.  He spends time with his family and religion, attending Temple regularly.  If he works late on a Friday he walks home.  It's been reported that he would walk in a snow storm blizzard rather than drive and desecrate the Sabbath, keeping his commitment  to a higher power.  His famous speech chastising President Clinton about the Lewinsky affair is legendary.  His views are traditional and his integrity impeccable.  If being old fashioned means having a sane life and morals, then old fashion is the way to go.

As we enter the Presidential race we are to think of the following facts.  Financially, our country is very successful but morally quite broken.  I believe that Joseph Lieberman, who boldly and courageously practices his religion in high places will be an asset to our government. 

Joseph may be the first Jewish Vice Presidential candidate in American history but my message to him is to use your skill to keep your religion a priority.  Live like the Jewish Joseph of the Bible who made Egypt the strongest country in its time while retaining his high religious integrity.  Whether Joseph Lieberman wins or loses remember, that G‑d is always in office.