Presidents’ Day – A Religious Perspective
This coming Monday Americans will celebrate Presidents' Day. Our government gives honor to both George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. The way we celebrate is by taking off from work and hopefully spending more quality time with friends and family.
There is a book called In God We Trust, a handbook of values for Americans based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. In it we find the following observation.
When the founding fathers of the USA came from Europe, they wanted to build a society that gave each person the chance to attain the fullest expression of his potential. They drafted several important documents which serve as a mission statement for America, communicating the fundamental ideals on which this society is based. These include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Our founding fathers also understood the need for a succinct message, so they made a summary of these principles.
And where did they place it? On money!
Printed on every American coin and dollar bills are two messages: "In God We Trust" - a reminder that our society is built on a foundation of spiritual truth ("One Nation under God,") and E Pluribus Unum ("Out of the Many, One") - a promise that none will impose his views on another.
Saying "In God We Trust" does more than make a general statement of belief in God; it invites Him to become an active partner in our lives. That's what the founding fathers meant when they imprinted this motto on our currency.
This trust in God is a fundamental necessity. It is impossible to build a just and moral society without trust in God and reliance on His principles.
This is a wonderful message for us. In our times of uncertainty we must look to the Bible as a guiding light. The Bible teaches us to care for one another and to add to kindness thus making this world a better place to live.
By putting God above all – as In God we trust - we are able to see the light in each situation and meet the challenges. When we trust in God then God trusts us, giving us the choice to live a good life. The Bible is the quintessence of good and truth. In these trying times it would do us good to spend a little time reading the Bible, the blueprint for happiness.
Rabbi Eli Hecht is vice–president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and past–president of the Rabbinical Council of California. He is the director of Chabad of South Bay in Lomita, CA which houses a synagogue, day school, nursery school and chaplain cy programs