Jerusalem and Washington TB Shabbat 120

At the very end of TB Shabbat 119b, eight different Amoraim (sages who lived between 200 CE-500 CE) listed different reasons why they believed Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 CE. Rava’s explanation continues onto our daf today TB Shabbat 120.  “And Rava said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because there were no more trustworthy people there, as it is stated: “Roam about the streets of Jerusalem and see, and search its plazas, if you can find a person, who acts justly, who seeks integrity, that I should forgive it” (Jeremiah 5:1)… (After a discussion that they were people of faith in Jerusalem at the time, the verse quoted above speaks about those who were culpable.) whereas here, where it was taught that there were no more people of faith in Jerusalem, that was with regard to matters of business.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The eighth rabbis were trying to teach us important values that underpin a moral and civil society. Rava’s explanation highlights the importance of honesty and integrity. Abraham Lincoln could not agree more with Rava. In his Lyceum speech he warned that mobs or people who disrespected U.S. laws and courts could destroy the United States. In the speech, Lincoln discussed in glowing terms the political system established by the founding fathers, but warned of a destructive force from within. He asked his listeners:

"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer. If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln%27s_Lyceum_address)

I have never been so concerned about the future of our nation because of the occupant of the White House. The New York Times published a scathing investigatory article documenting of Trump’s family finances in late 2018. (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html) He is not only unscrupulous in business, incompetent and divisive, he has also demeaned the Free Press, the court system, and many other constitutional norms. That is why I think this coming November’s national election is the most important one of my entire life. I truly believe that the election was determined the direction of our country for good or for bad.

Rava’s teaching should motivate us to vote this November for the very soul of our country.