Tomorrow, we celebrate America’s independence; our freedom. Whereas July 4 is by no means a Jewish holiday, its themes of independence and freedom are central to Judaism.
The first time we are called Israelites is by the enslaving Pharoah. And so, our identity stems from the fact that we were slaves and then we became free.
At almost every prayer service, we celebrate our freedom when we sing Mi Chamocha, which recalls the climactic moment when the Israelites walked safely thorough the middle of the Red Sea.
But just what does it mean to be free?
It certainly doesn’t mean that we can do anything that we want. When God created Adam and Eve, one of the first things told to them was that they could not eat from the tree of knowledge. They had access to the entire Garden of Eden but God made it clear that some actions were forbidden.
And on the other hand, Judaism reminds us that freedom can also mean breaking away from deeply held beliefs and cultural norms. Abraham became Abraham because he refused to pray to idols. Even though it was common practice, and even though own father owned an idol shop, Abraham took his freedom very seriously in that he chose a different belief system. And in so doing, he became the first Jew.
Obviously, we know that freedom is not servitude. And we also know that freedom doesn’t imply an ‘anything goes’ worldview.
I already mentioned the Mi Chamocha. Its words don't necessarily help us explain the concept of freedom, but its placement within the Torah does. Mi Chamocha takes place in the middle of Exodus, the second book of the Torah. If freedom is the apotheosis of our people’s identity, if it is the ultimate goal of Judaism, the Torah could have ended with the triumphant singing of Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea.
But of course, it does not. The Torah continues with the next ‘main event’ after the splitting of the sea, and it is the Torah itself! The Israelites stand under Mount Sinai and hear God’s own voice give them the 10 commandments.
The 613 commandments - our MItzvot - delineate specific behaviors and norms, guidelines and aspirations. The Jewish concept of freedom lies not in having escaped Egypt, but in choosing a life of Torah - a life of laws and prohibitions and limitations - a life of responsibility.
Paraphrasing a famous line from the movie Spider-Man, With freedom comes responsibility.
As Jews, and I would also say as Americans, our freedom should not be a Dionysian celebration of the self. Freedom is the use of our strengths and talents to create a more just society and world. 36 times the Torah tells us: Do not oppress the stranger for you were strangers in Egypt. In other words, my freedom only means something if I use it to ensure your freedom. Put another way, I am only free if you are free. And if he is free. And if all are free.
Tomorrow is the 244th commemoration of American Independence Day. Jews have been singing Mi Chamocha for a lot longer. I hope that our Jewish freedom can help to inform and strengthen our sense of American freedom. It is who we are. It is our responsibility.
