3

This question may seem strange but it more ties into the nature of politics in non-Jewish parts of the world. Obviously, in a country like Israel we have built around these issues as to prevent conflict. The problem comes when we talk about parts of the world with less respect for observance.

Being an observant Jew requires individuals to put aside certain life obligations for the sake of honoring one's faith.

My question is can an individual who is observant truly honor the needs of an office in a country which doesn't respect certain observances?

Example:

An highly observant Jew succeeds in winning a seat in a level of office (any office can serve as an example but lets for this example say they became a Senator.

  • A senator needs to be continuous contact with members of their state and electorate. This can occur at all hours of the day and will likely occur during Friday and Saturday when shabbos is ongoing.

  • Congress may hold a late night vote on a Friday due to a coming deadline regarding political matters. This would require a Jew working through Shabbos.

  • The same could be said for a Senator/Congressman who sits on a committee which is meeting late on Friday or on Saturday.

So my question is, can an individual who wishes to live a devout life truly meet the requirements of their elected office?

  • 2
    You may be interested in Joe Lieberman. – Daniel Feb 01 '17 at 16:25
  • 2
    Why would this be any different than any other job with standard 9-5 hours (during the winter when Shabbos starts early, Yom Tov, etc.)? Observant Jews the world over find a way to make it work. – Salmononius2 Feb 01 '17 at 16:25
  • 1
    I'm afraid I don't see how this is on topic. This also doesn't appear to be different from any other job. Either you find a way to do things in a permissible way or you don't do the job. – Double AA Feb 01 '17 at 16:26
  • 1
    "A senator needs to be continuous contact with members of their state" This isn't true as far as I know. They can take a break sometimes. – Double AA Feb 01 '17 at 16:26
  • 1
    Most senators (as an example) do not keep their offices open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Additionally, they do not always attend every committee meeting. Also most committees do not meet late on Friday or on Saturday. – sabbahillel Feb 01 '17 at 16:35
  • Regarding the bulleted items, apparently, no Congress person is forced to vote on anything. Look at how many of them are just absent! Not that I agree with this idea, but, apparently, they are allowed to skip votes unlimitedly. Therefore, this is not a concern. Same idea with Senators. And, also, these people do not have to be in contact with the public 24 / 7. In actuality, I know of no Senator or Congress person who is this way. View how many of them take a longer summer break than the average worker has in vacation days. – DanF Feb 01 '17 at 16:52
  • 1
    Sounds like an interesting question, but not for the reasons you mentioned. What about cases where the interests of Jews and/or halacha conflcit with his duty to uphold the law and/or support the non-Jewish population of the country? – andrewmh20 Feb 01 '17 at 17:11
  • Supplementing item #1, generally, only in life and death situations may one violate Shabbat. I know of no Congressional or Senate vote that involves this other than declaring war, which hasn't happened since Bush declared war in Iraq. Even in such situations, the President decides this without waiting for Congress of an attack is imminent. Otherwise, I don't think there is any necessity for the Congressman, Senator or even President to violate Shabbat, himself. – DanF Feb 01 '17 at 17:38
  • Are you asking specifically about conflicts between high office and Shabbat-observance, as all of your examples seem to suggest? If so, then I think this question may be the same as http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/13181/setting-aside-shabbat-to-answer-the-presidents-call – Isaac Moses Feb 01 '17 at 19:21
  • How is this off-topic? It’s asking how or if an Orthodox Jew could observe Halacha as an employee of the government. Halacha is on-topic here. I could hear this being too broad though, and for the moment that is my close vote. – DonielF Nov 17 '17 at 21:48

1 Answers1

1

You've asked a great question, and there has been quite a bit of debate on this/ I'll try to pose some ideas in segments, based on my time and what others may add...

Pirkei Avot 1:10 cites Avtalyon who says:

שנא את הרבנות

There have been several interpretations of this phrase but one of them, cited by Rabbeinu Bechaye, in the link that I have shown interprets this that one should shy away from a leadership position unless someone specifically imposes it upon them. Thus, at least in U.S., many governmental positions are by election, so no one is ever forced to be a candidate. There may be a different situation if the president "coaxes" you into a cabinet position, but, even that can be refused. (I state MAY be different, because I'm uncertain of the parameters of what "imposed upon" includes within Rav Bechaye's definition.)

Rav Bechaye cites contrasts that Moses repeatedly refused being a leader until G-d forced it upon him. Similar idea with Shaul Hamelech (King Saul) who hid among the baggage because he didn't want to be king.

In contrast, he says that those who voluntary accept leadership end up dying before their time, as we see that Joseph was the first to die among his brothers.

There is a separate problem of accepting government positions in that, as you mentioned, it frequently does conflict with one's Jewish moral principals, as you are now a servant of the public. Pirkei Avot does mention this aspect as well. I will edit that in, when I locate it.

When Senator Joseph Lieberman ran as vice president during Al Gore's campaign, we saw some of these very aspects occurring. See this article for the full story. His rabbi stated that one is allowed to violate the Shabbat for the sake of the public "good". I'm not trying to debate the rabbi's validity on that statement. However, it does preclude the notion that one, perhaps, shouldn't intentionally enter a situation where he has to have this type of debate in the first place.

One other general rule, is that one should avoid situations where he will most likely be forced to violate halachot, assuming that he has a choice. One of my friends was deciding if he should become a surgeon or an accountant (I know - it's a strange choice!) His rav told him that unless he has a tremendous urge or desire to become a surgeon or there is a specific communal need for his expertise, he should become an accountant, because a surgeon is likely to be called on emergency on Shabbat and he may have to drive to the hospital. Of course, he is allowed to do that, but, the rav was pointing out that one shouldn't voluntary enter such a situation if he can avoid it.

Likewise, one should probably avoid entering a situation where he may have to compromise his Shabbat observance, or other halachic conflicts. Although, as I mentioned in my comments, I can't see any situation other than U.S. president where someone would need to violate Shabbat for any reason other than a natural disaster decision or impending war, etc.

There are other conflicts, probably, which I will try to add later.

DanF
  • 70,416
  • 8
  • 59
  • 244