07-01-2025 Torah Commentary

Below is the letter from George Washington to the Jewish  community of Newport Rhode Island, is a good reminder of what  we have in common and where we need to go.  

Gentlemen: 

While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with  expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you  that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial  welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of  citizens. 

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past  is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are  succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. 

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with  which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just  administration of a good government, to become a great and  happy people. 

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to  applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an  enlarged and liberal policy—a policy worthy of imitation. All  possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. 

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the  indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the  exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the  Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no  sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they  who live under its protection should demean themselves as good  citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to  avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my  administration and fervent wishes for my felicity. 

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land  continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other  inhabitants—while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine  and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. 

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon  our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here,  and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

G. Washington