Op-Ed: Vote for g-d

It was a crisp November evening, my father came home from work, and after having dinner, he invited me to accompany him to the polls. Standing on line, my father gave me a crash course on American civics, democracy and the electoral system. Although the information overload confused my eight year old brain, I thoroughly enjoyed the quality time spent with my father and learned a thing or two. I can also remember him telling me that it was the first time he voted for a Republican President (Ronald Reagan).

Growing up in Crown Heights, our conversations at the Shabbos table and the schmoozing in the back of the shul were rarely centered on national policies or the president. Typically, frum Jews were committed to their civic responsibility to vote but could hardly be described as passionate card carrying partisans.

During the Crown Heights riots, many of us turned to conservative talk radio since they were the only ones in the media who spoke the truth of what was happening. Conservative talk radio has since proliferated. It is entertaining and many of their values resonate with frum Jews. This has had a profound effect on the frum community’s attitude to national politics.

Over the past twenty years our attitudes to national policies and the president have dramatically changed and a large percentage of frum Jews can now be described as passionate card carrying partisans.

I was once sitting in shul discussing the dire political situation in Eretz Yisroel. When a guy sitting in the back perked up and said “luz iber chutch ain protsent far di Ribono Shel Olam.” Allow G-d to retain at least 1% of control.

We must create a vehicle through which G-d’s blessing will flow. This includes voting for Jewish values, what’s best for our community and what’s best for klal yisroel. However, when a political loss leads to aggravation, anger and angst, it is indicative of a loss of faith in G-d! Does our future depend on the man in the White House? Does Eretz Yisroel’s security lie in the hand of “the nations”? G-d forbid!!!

Our hope for a better future and a brighter tomorrow is in G-d’s hands.Hyper-investment of time and energy into electoral politics borders on avodah zarah! This was the mistake of early idolaters! They worshiped the vehicles through witch G-d’s blessing flows. The Rambam in Hilchot Avoda Zara states the following: “In the time of Enosh human beings made a great error. They said, since G-d created these stars and planets to rule the world, it is fitting to praise them, glorify them, and show them honor… They began building temples to the stars, offering them sacrifices, praising them and glorifying them with words, and prostrating themselves towards them…”

We must take stock and refocus our energies. We need to communicate with the one in whom our fate lies. Talk to him about your personal concerns, your concerns for your family, community and Klal Yisroel. Cry to him about your deepest fears. Daven!