MY SAY: HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!
Today we celebrate 237 years of the founding of this glorious nation on principles that still hold in spite of divisions, civil war, world wars, a counterculture that threatened the fabric of our values and freedoms. We can still right government every four years and we can still say proudly “I am an American”…..whether you hail from the Russian pale, Ghana, China or my own birthplace Bolivia.
It is also inspiring to note that Judaism’s principles, thousands of year old still guide democracy. The struggle of our ancient brethren against evil and wicked rulers inspired America’s founding fathers. In fact, the first design for the official seal of the United States recommended by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1776 depicted the Jews crossing the Red Sea. The motto around the seal reads: “Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God.”
The inscription on the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia is a quote from Leviticus: “”Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” And as my friend Andy Bostom reminds me this morning, these are the words of Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father of the United States who lived in the state of Pennsylvania and was a physician, writer, educator, humanitarian, as well as the founder of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.In 1797, by appointment of President Adams, Rush was made treasurer of the U.S. Mint, a post he held until his death.
So…on this happy anniversary I can proudly sing the lyrics of George M. Cohan
- You’re a grand old flag,
- You’re a high flying flag
- And forever in peace may you wave.
- You’re the emblem of
- The land I love.
- The home of the free and the brave.
- Ev’ry heart beats true
- ‘neath the Red, White and Blue,
- Where there’s never a boast or brag.
- But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
- Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
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