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To Vote or Not To Vote?January 17, 2008
The Republican and Democratic primary caucuses in Nevada are garnering a lot of attention in relation to the Jewish community, due to the fact that they are being held on a Saturday (during the very hours when Shabbat worship services are being held no less!). Jews - primarily observant Jews but certainly not exclusively - are therefore being put in the position of having to answer the question, "to vote, or not to vote?" For liberal Jews, Shabbat observance is often flexible. Perhaps one might argue that exercising one's right to vote contributes to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world - something one might find a meaningful activity on Shabbat. On the other hand, Liberal and Orthodox Jews who maintain a less flexible Shabbat observance don't have that option and therefore, essentially lose their right to vote.
What do we think about this? For further reading on the issue, check out the coverage on jspot, JCPA, and JTA. 
3 CommentsLeave a comment |
I think this is very, very bad. As a matter of fact, lots of other electoral activity, at least in my home state, Washington, is being held on Shabbat. Considering the eloquent speech Rabbi Yoffie gave us at Biennial, I sure hope he makes a statement to both parties and/or addresses this situation. It's important to show that this does not only affect the Orthodox.
It's a good question for many. I think we should look at the other side too. The mitzvah of shabbat also helps with tikkun olam because of the positive spiritual energy that it brings :)
This is something that is a pet peeve of mine. I am not partial to the way in which the concept of tikkun olam has been stretched by us and other post-modern Jewish groups to mean partisan politics or picking up trash, or as a rationale for doing what makes me feel good. I always vote, and I think that picking up trash is important. But so is Shabbat, so is doing Jewish in the ways that only we can do. I went from services to vote, having had shacharit with a group of about 20. There were way more than double the number of Jews at the polling place than at services. That's a problem that is not addressed by electoral campaigns or composting.