joe lieberman, orthodoxy, and politics >> by robert marcom >> *spark-online issue twelve

The press is fond of a term that has some basis in the real world of international relations. The term is "A heartbeat away from the Presidency." Now, many are asking themselves what it means to have a man who practices Orthodox Judaism only one heartbeat from the most powerful political office in the world. The answer to this question will always lie with the personality and beliefs of such an individual, but there are a few things that can be said about the responsibility as it relates to Orthodox Judaism.

Jewish Orthodoxy has suddenly risen to national significance, with the advent of the selection of Joseph Lieberman as Vice Presidential running mate for Al Gore's bid to become President of the United States. Orthodox Judaism is a way for a Jew to relate to Jewish Law. This Law is comprised of commandments, or "mitzvoth." There are 613 mitzvoth to which obedience is required. How a Jew relates to these commandments is what will determine whether one is considered Orthodox, as opposed to being a Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist Jew.

Orthodox Judaism came into existence in Eastern and Northern Europe during the historical period termed the Middle Ages. Orthodoxy was a response by the Jewish Community to an intense effort made by the Christian institutions of the Holy Roman Empire to convert or subsume Judaism. As the pressure lessened over time, there was less reason for a rigid adherence to ritual and practice. By the 19th Century, many Jewish Theologians were advocating less restrictive practice. The Conservative, Reformed and Reconstructionist movements, each in turn, were formed in order to be tolerant of new attitudes among Jews toward ritual. All these movements acknowledged the same 613 mitzvoth, but expressed the commitment to them in a different manner. Even the adherents to Orthodox practice have liberalized their expected behaviors, if not their basic beliefs.

These mitzvoth are all derived from the first five books of the Judeo-Christian Bible, which Jews term The Torah. They are not all explicitly in evidence and many of them are interpretations made by historical religious authorities. The mitzvoth are a broad spectrum of instructions designed to guide the daily lives of Jews who accept the "covenant" made for them by Moses at Mount Sinai. They cover such aspects as dietary laws, codes of ethics, religious obligations, instructions on acceptable behavior toward those under one's authority and those in authority over Jews.

Orthodoxy requires an attitude of submission and a set of behaviors that are clearly defined. Orthodoxy should not be confused with a sub-sect of Orthodoxy called Hassid. The Hassid are the men generally observed to dress in black coats and hats, and wear the long locks of hair at their sideburns called "peyos." Many Orthodox Jews are Hassidic; most are not.

Why would anyone be concerned over these commandments? There is always a suspicion of arcane and essentially foreign philosophies. There is always a tension between Christian and Jewish cultures. These facts are simply an extension of the "us and them" aspect of human nature. Perhaps the more pertinent question might be: Is there anything in the Orthodox Jew's relationship to faith that would preclude service as a high government official? The short answer is no. Social welfare and human welfare can take precedence over any of the mitzvoth. Joseph Lieberman, along with every other Orthodox Jew will be required to put the welfare of his or her society and the welfare of other human beings ahead of religious ritual.

Will Joseph Lieberman make a good Vice President? That is up to Joseph Lieberman. The only sure thing is that there is nothing in Jewish Law that will prevent him from doing so, and there is much that will require him to do the best job he is able.

Robert Marcom is a regular contributor to *spark-online.