Americans find ourselves in the path of two great eclipses this week. The first will have a path of totality 70 miles wide from the West Coast to the East Coast and will last no more than two minutes and forty seconds in any one locale - as the moon will eclipse the sun in darkness in this solar eclipse. And yes, there is a bracha, a blessing to recite when this eclipse becomes visible (read on for the appropriate blessing and make sure to view the solar eclipse with the appropriative protective eyewear).
The second eclipse has a path that engulfs the totality of this great country from sea to shining sea and has already brought a moral darkness upon this country over this past turbulent week. And, no there is not a bracha, a blessing to recite when confronted with the moral blindness to hatred espoused by the ongoing salvo of words stated by President Trump. (read on to find strength in what America represents, values that have been jettisoned by President Trump all throughout this week).
Americans across the political spectrum ought to be alarmed by what President Trump has stated in the aftermath of the Charlottesville rally organized by hate groups ranging from white supremacists to the KKK. We must not overlook the facts (not fake news) that the galvanizing chants and symbols invoked at this rally were overtly anti-Semitic. The hate-mongers who gathered together were linked by a hatred of Jews, blacks, minorities - their poisonous barbs and clashes were directed against the open and tolerant society of America - and against the freedom of sexual choice as well.
This toxic brew of hatred was in full sight of this country and a significant number of those who rallied under the Nazi flag (is there any moral defense for those who rally under this flag that represents evil incarnate ?) openly carried weapons and were dressed in militia fatigues in order to intimidate and foster public terror.
The freedom to bear arms is a Constitutional right and there is a Consitutional right to free speech - but there is a limit to free speech and bearing of firearms when words and guns incite violence and hatred.
Those who banded together in counter protest were there to protect our rights as citizens to live in an open and free democracy where hatred has no place. As President George Washington stated in his letter to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island expressing the values held in The United States of " a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction and to persecution no assistance."
Our hearts go out in solace and comfort to those injured while safeguarding the rights of democracy and our solace to the family of Heather Heyer who lost her life in an act of domestic terrorism when a white supremacist plowed his car into the crowd . (and our prayers are extended to the people of Spain as they have endured a horrific terrorist attack in Barcelona and other locations - including a terrorist using a vehicle to snuff out far too many lives in acts of vile violence for an immoral cause that perverts truth, religion and reality).
President Trump instead of resoundingly condemning the hate groups has instead elected to place blame all around - on many sides ! In what could have been a Presidential moment of healing and unity to express his contempt for violence and hate filled groups that egregiously oppose our core American values of tolerance and equality, President Trump has ignited a week of fire and fury with his false moral equivalency arguments. (and the week before The United States came dangerously close to igniting a war with North Korea with his unscripted words of creating a war of fire and fury).
In 1985, Elie Wiesel implored President Reagan to cancel a visit to a German cemetery with a burial area for Nazis.
''That place, Mr. President, is not your place,'' Mr. Wiesel told Mr. Reagan at White House ceremonies honoring the (then) 56-year-old writer. ''Your place is with the victims of the SS.''
America has spent generations evolving to expunge racism, hatred and intolerance from our culture and country. For President Trump to equate white supremacists and the KKK to patriotic Americans who oppose their venomous hatreds, is shameful to America and Americans and counter to what America represents. Now is the time to set aside partisan politics and apologetics and treasure our American values and heritage ! Elie Wiesel in following the noble lead of our Jewish Prophets affirmed that Judaism and faith speaks truth to power!
Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican from South Carolina) rebuked the President in these words: "Your words are dividing Americans, not healing them."
Senator John McCain (Republican from Arizona) stated there's "no moral equivalency between racists and Americans standing up to defy hatred and bigotry."
Both former Presidents Bush stated in a declaration that did not name President Trump that "America must always reject racial bigotry, anti-Semitism and hatred in all forms.
Senator Bob Corker (Republican from Tennessee ) declared:
That "The President has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence that he needs to demonstrate in order to be successful..... he has not demonstrated he understands the character of this nation"
President Trump in his litany of tweets throughout his tenure has been quick to condemn Republicans and Democrats, war heroes and women, the press and business executives and American allies - yet noteworthy he fails to unequivocally and unconditionally condemn racists, hate-mongers and anti-Semites (and other adversaries as well ).
Faith and religion, and our shared Jewish belief teaches us to never remain silence in the face of a moral eclipse - and this is a defining moment in the Trump Presidency as he doubles down to affirm his statements despite the rising crescendo of voices across the spectrum of America that challenge his misguided and ahistorical and amoral view of America.
We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. Now is the time for us to speak freely and bravely to affirm our American values of tolerance and our rejection of those, even in the highest office of the land that lend legitimacy to hatred and bigotry and nativist and racist sentiments - old cabals that should have been left in the dustbin of American history.
The Jewish community of Charlottesville was subjected to openly armed racists and white supremacists standing in front of their synagogue last Shabbat - as they tried to sow seeds of terror. This is un-American and these acts that seek to divide our country ought to cease. Contact our US Senators and Representatives across both aisles that they should resoundingly condemn all bigotry and hatred - from wherever it emanates - from white supremacist households to the White House.
America is not a country that tolerates bullying, or condones terrorism or hatred here or abroad. We give bigotry NO sanction throughout this great land. Truth and integrity are the foundation of this great land. President Trump has stated that Washington and Jefferson each owned slaves - and that flaw was morally wrong then and is certainly wrong now. Yet Presidents Washington and Jefferson mightily strove to build and unite this country. In contrast, Robert E. Lee strove to divide and destroy this country. This is a profoundly simple and sublime truth !
Mr. President - we speak truth to power. We stand united against hatred, violence, bigotry and anti-Semitism. We stand united for justice and equality, tolerance and harmony.
Mr. President, we ask that you too stand up for the values of this great country. Mr. President, the solar eclipse will quickly pass this coming Monday. Mr. President, the darkness of the solar eclipse is temporary and ephermeral.
The darkness of your moral eclipse is frightening. May the light of love, and tolerance bring light into your world and our world and guide us through these stormy days.
E pluribus unum - out of the many, we are one people, one America, united against hatred, poisonous bigotry and intolerance.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in the turbulent 1960's penned, now is the time for moral grandeur and spiritual audacity. Mr. President, we ask you to lead and unite us - show us moral grandeur and spiritual audacity, for the well being of every American. Shabbat shalom !
The blessing upon a solar eclipse being viewed is:
Barukh attah Adonai, Elohaynu Melekh ha-Olam, she-kocho u'gevurato malay Olam.
We thank you God, Sovereign of the Universe whose glorious might and majesty fills our world !
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