Dear all,
With the demonstrations and protests shaking the core of Los Angeles, I have been thinking deeply about a value in Judaism that appears four times in Torah:
1) “There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger that lives among you” (Exodus 12:49)
2) “You shall have one law for the foreigner and for the native born” (Leviticus 24:22)
3) “There shall be one law for you, whether stranger or citizen of the country” (Numbers 9:14).
4) “There shall be one law for you and for the resident stranger … You and the stranger shall be alike before Adonai.” (Numbers 15;15).
Unfortunately, we are witnessing the opposite:
Fear.
Terror.
Uncertainty.
Callousness.
I am not anti ICE.
But let’s be clear: this is not an issue about immigration controls.
This is about instilling fear in so many families across our region and across our country. This is about masked officers taking away people in unmarked vehicles. This is about intimidating the elderly and the sick. This is not about safety and security.
The Board of Rabbis of Southern California (representing Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, and other denominations of Judaism) created an incredible statement (linked here) with the following message:
“The Board of Rabbis of Southern California stands with all those striving to create a peaceful and compassionate society. Together, we pray for peace and civility in our civic institutions and across Los Angeles. May the One who makes peace in the heavens help us to restore peace to our beloved city.”
Together – citizen and visitor, card holders and undocumented – we join at this moment in time to act with peace, demand better of our country, and restore civility in our region.
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
