EDITORIAL: During the Festival of Lights, George Washington’s words are worth remembering

OPINION:

Hanukkah, the eight-night Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple during the second century B.C., is now underway for Jews across America. Menorahs are being lit, games and gifts enjoyed, good food consumed, and, where possible in this time of COVID-19, extended family assembled.

The protections this country affords to religious minorities have been with us since America’s beginnings, but there is one noteworthy event worth recalling this Hanukkah season. That is President George Washington’s Letter to the Jews of Newport (1790).

The occasion of the letter came after Washington and then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson were a year into America’s first presidential administration. At that time, the vaunted Founders embarked on a listening tour of the country. A campaign for the passage of Bill of Rights was in full force, and the new democracy was blossoming. On Aug. 17, 1790, Washington and Jefferson arrived in Rhode Island, the last state in the Union to ratify the Constitution.

It was, of course, a very big deal, and everyone in town took note. Among them was Moses Seixas, warden of Yeshuat Israel, the first Jewish congregation in Rhode Island, who wrote to Washington, of which the excerpt below is only a part.

“Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People — a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance — but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship.”

At the time, Jews, historically perhaps the most persecuted of all peoples, would still have been apprehensive about their status as citizens and their safety as human beings in America. An assurance from the new president would go a long way. And so, when Washington’s response came one day later, we may, as we reflect over the holiday, imagine the joy with which the following words were read.

“May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.” — G. Washington

Chag urim sameach. Happy Festival of Lights.