Post by artraveler on Mar 29, 2021 11:34:00 GMT -8
A New Birth of Freedom
“That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish.”
Better then any in his time Lincoln understood that freedom was the core of American philosophy. And, that core was built on scripture. Specifically, the story of Passover as told in Exodus. Every year since the exodus from Egypt Jews have celebrated the release from bondage with a special meal that symbolizes the bitterness of slavery and the magnificent release to be free.
For over three thousand years Jews of every nation have taken the opportunity to relive that time when our fathers walked as free men and women out of Egypt and went their own way. At the Seder the youngest ask traditional questions, “why is this night different from all other nights?” and the story is told of Moses and the Pharaoh of the marking of the doors with lamb’s blood. Every person becomes aware that it was not just a dusty figure from a distant past who was sought freedom, but it was all of us, here today, who experience that freedom.
A slave has no obligations except to obey his master, to do as he is told and submit to the will of those above him. It is an ideal life for some. Indeed, many slaves do not wish for freedom. On the way out of Egypt there were many who questioned Moses leadership, “are there not enough graves in the desert?” was asked of Moses when the going got tough. We can find many among modern Americans who are no different. All they want is freedom from freedom, as true freedom requires us to take responsibility for our actions.
For Americans in November of 1863 the going was tough. Lincoln called up everything he knew about the American soul and in 238 words defined what the nation should strive to be. The war would continue for another 18 months and the battles would become more and more fierce and bloody. Lincoln knew and understood that the blood of hundreds of thousands had been shed and more would come, perhaps even his own and was willing to make that sacrifice, “that these dead shall not have died in vain”. Notice that he did not say just federal dead but all the dead and those who would die on both sides.
For Jews celebrating Passover during this time, it was difficult to find the necessary Kosher foods, and the opportunity to even have the Seder was limited by military necessity. There are diary and journal comments by Jews and Gentiles of Passover Seders on both sides and several instances of soldiers from both sides holding Seders together with the approval of their commanders who sometimes attended. I wonder if Jewish Antifa members attend with their more conservative family members. I doubt it, but I would like to think the antipathy can be set aside for a few hours.
For Christians, Passover does not hold the same symbolic significance, but it should. As a part of the Passover ritual a cup of wine is placed by the door, Elijah’s cup, untouched awaiting the prophet to proclaim the Messiah. For Christians this can be none other than the cup at the last supper. For Jews the final toast is next year in Jerusalem.
The Jewish state has been rebuilt, and Jerusalem is once again the center of Jewish learning and philosophy. Thanks to the efforts of brave American’s gentiles and Jew’s peace in the area is more likely than war. A new birth of freedom. Lincoln would approve.
“That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish.”
Better then any in his time Lincoln understood that freedom was the core of American philosophy. And, that core was built on scripture. Specifically, the story of Passover as told in Exodus. Every year since the exodus from Egypt Jews have celebrated the release from bondage with a special meal that symbolizes the bitterness of slavery and the magnificent release to be free.
For over three thousand years Jews of every nation have taken the opportunity to relive that time when our fathers walked as free men and women out of Egypt and went their own way. At the Seder the youngest ask traditional questions, “why is this night different from all other nights?” and the story is told of Moses and the Pharaoh of the marking of the doors with lamb’s blood. Every person becomes aware that it was not just a dusty figure from a distant past who was sought freedom, but it was all of us, here today, who experience that freedom.
A slave has no obligations except to obey his master, to do as he is told and submit to the will of those above him. It is an ideal life for some. Indeed, many slaves do not wish for freedom. On the way out of Egypt there were many who questioned Moses leadership, “are there not enough graves in the desert?” was asked of Moses when the going got tough. We can find many among modern Americans who are no different. All they want is freedom from freedom, as true freedom requires us to take responsibility for our actions.
For Americans in November of 1863 the going was tough. Lincoln called up everything he knew about the American soul and in 238 words defined what the nation should strive to be. The war would continue for another 18 months and the battles would become more and more fierce and bloody. Lincoln knew and understood that the blood of hundreds of thousands had been shed and more would come, perhaps even his own and was willing to make that sacrifice, “that these dead shall not have died in vain”. Notice that he did not say just federal dead but all the dead and those who would die on both sides.
For Jews celebrating Passover during this time, it was difficult to find the necessary Kosher foods, and the opportunity to even have the Seder was limited by military necessity. There are diary and journal comments by Jews and Gentiles of Passover Seders on both sides and several instances of soldiers from both sides holding Seders together with the approval of their commanders who sometimes attended. I wonder if Jewish Antifa members attend with their more conservative family members. I doubt it, but I would like to think the antipathy can be set aside for a few hours.
For Christians, Passover does not hold the same symbolic significance, but it should. As a part of the Passover ritual a cup of wine is placed by the door, Elijah’s cup, untouched awaiting the prophet to proclaim the Messiah. For Christians this can be none other than the cup at the last supper. For Jews the final toast is next year in Jerusalem.
The Jewish state has been rebuilt, and Jerusalem is once again the center of Jewish learning and philosophy. Thanks to the efforts of brave American’s gentiles and Jew’s peace in the area is more likely than war. A new birth of freedom. Lincoln would approve.