Who Leads?

Context: Moses is the leader of the Jewish people and he is struggling to deal with all the people coming to ask him questions and get his advice. So Moses, turns to out of all people his father-in-law, Jethro, for advice.

וְאַתָּ֣ה תֶחֱזֶ֣ה מִכׇּל־הָ֠עָ֠ם אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֜יִל יִרְאֵ֧י אֱלֹהִ֛ים אַנְשֵׁ֥י אֱמֶ֖ת שֹׂ֣נְאֵי בָ֑צַע וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ עֲלֵהֶ֗ם שָׂרֵ֤י אֲלָפִים֙ שָׂרֵ֣י מֵא֔וֹת שָׂרֵ֥י חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י עֲשָׂרֹֽת׃ וְשָׁפְט֣וּ אֶת־הָעָם֮ בְּכׇל־עֵת֒ וְהָיָ֞ה כׇּל־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַגָּדֹל֙ יָבִ֣יאוּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְכׇל־הַדָּבָ֥ר הַקָּטֹ֖ן יִשְׁפְּטוּ־הֵ֑ם וְהָקֵל֙ מֵֽעָלֶ֔יךָ וְנָשְׂא֖וּ אִתָּֽךְ׃

_{(Exodus 18: 21-22)}

You shall also seek out, from among all the people, capable individuals* individuals who fear God—trustworthy ones who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and let them judge the people at all times. Have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them decide every minor dispute themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them share the burden with you.

^{_{*(capable individuals can also be translated as wealthy)}}

Guiding Questions:

• What makes a good leader? What qualities does someone need to be added to the ballot? What values?
• Who is given the chance to lead?

וַיִּבְחַ֨ר מֹשֶׁ֤ה אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֙יִל֙ מִכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם רָאשִׁ֖ים עַל־הָעָ֑ם שָׂרֵ֤י אֲלָפִים֙ שָׂרֵ֣י מֵא֔וֹת שָׂרֵ֥י חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י עֲשָׂרֹֽת׃

^{(Exodus 18:25)}

Moses chose capable individuals* individuals out of all Israel, and appointed them heads over the people.

• Moses was advised to choose leaders who were capable/wealthy/resourceful, pious, trustworthy, and who don’t take brides. He choose to only focus on the capable/wealthy/resourceful. What qualities are you willing to give up?

Governor of Georgia Requirements	Senate Requirements	House of Representatives Requirements
– Be at least 30 years old – Be a resident of Georgia for at least 6 years – Be a citizen of America for at least 15 years	– Be at least 30 years old – Be a citizen of America for at least 9 years	– Be at least 25 years old – Be a citizen of America for at least 7 years

According to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that cover activity from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020, congressional candidates spent approximately $4 billion.

Guiding Questions:

Before we dive into voting justice, we need to zoom out and examine who is at the table.

• Who does society allow to be candidates?
• Who does the law allow to be on the ballot?
• Who has the power to elevate candidates?

Who Counts?

While we are zoomed out, we need to understand and explore the roots of voter injustice to move forward. The census is at the heart of voting justice.

וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר יְהֹוָ֧ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֛ה בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר סִינַ֖י בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד בְּאֶחָד֩ לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֜י בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשֵּׁנִ֗ית לְצֵאתָ֛ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֵאמֹֽר׃ שְׂא֗וּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ֙ כׇּל־עֲדַ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר שֵׁמ֔וֹת כׇּל־זָכָ֖ר לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָֽם׃

_{(Number 1:1-2)}

On the first day of the second month, in the second year following the exodus from the land of Egypt, Adonai spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, saying: Take a census of the whole Israelite company [of fighters]* by the clans of its ancestral houses,

^{*(listing the names, every male, head by head.)}

The U.S. Census Bureau is tasked to count every resident in the United States every 10 years. The data is used to determine the number of U.S. House districts that each state is given and votes in the Electoral College. The population data determines the number of representatives each state receives. Federal law sates, the House of Representatives is set at 435 seats, the census data indicates if a state gains or loses seats in the House. Maps are redrawn through the redistricting process.

_{United States Census Bureau}

The 2020 Census faced challenges such as Covid-19, natural disasters, concerns about privacy, distrust in government, and fears of repercussions.

_{2020 Census Barriers, Attitudes, and Motivators Study census.gov}

Numbers is not just about taking a census. It is also about the results of the count, in this case the equal distribution of offerings. Each chieftain presented offerings for the dedication of the altar: From “one silver bowl weighing 130 shekels” all the way through “five yearling lambs,” each chieftain offered the same amount (Num. 7:10-83). While we are not presenting offerings through our census, the census is very much about distribution. This distribution is vital to our democracy. Each individual is part of a population count that ultimately determines the distribution of congressional seats across these fifty states.

_{Erika Becker-Medina}

In March, the bureau released follow-up survey findings that showed significant national net undercount rates for Black people and Latinos, as well as Native Americans living on reservations. The bureau also found significant national net overcount rates for white people who do not identify as Hispanic and Asian Americans.

_{NPR – Census Undercount}

Guiding Questions:

• What does it mean in 2022 to count every person head to head and listing every name? Why does it matter to count everyone?
• How are the census that Moses is instructed to take similar to the US census? How do they differ?
• In what ways do you see the census relating to voting?

Who Votes?

Let’s explore what Judaism has to say about who votes. It is also import for us to think about why it is essential to support a fair and free election where everyone is able to vote who legally can.

כל צרכי ציבור שאינן יכולין להשוות עצמן יש להושיב כל בע”ב הנותנים מס ויקבלו עליהם שכל אחד יאמר דעתו לשם שמים וילכו אחר הרוב

_{(Shulchan Arukak, Choshen Mishpat 163:1)}

_{Context: The Chulchan Arukh is the most widely accepted code of Jewish law ever written. Compiled in the 16th century. Chosen Mishpat focuses on legal matters.}

For any community matter on which they cannot find common ground, they should convene all taxpayers, and they should agree that each will voice his view altruistically, and they will follow the majority.

: אֵין מַעֲמִידִין פַּרְנָס עַל הַצִּבּוּר אֶלָּא אִםרַבִּי יִצְחָקאָמַר כֵּן נִמְלָכִים בַּצִּבּוּר

_{(Berakhot 55a:11)}

_{Context: Berakhot is a tractate from the Babylonian Talmud composed 450-550 CE focusing on blessings.}

With regard to Bezalel’s appointment, Rabbi Yitzḥak said: One may only appoint a leader over a community if he consults with the community and they agree to the appointment.

“A man once came before the Chazon Ish (a Russian-born Orthodox rabbi, 1878-1953) and explained that he didn’t have enough money to pay his taxes and, therefore, would not be allowed to vote in an upcoming election. The Chazon Ish responded: ‘You should sell your tefillin and pay the taxes… tefillin, you can 2 borrow from another, but the right to vote you cannot get from someone else.’

_{Rabbi Laura Novak Winer}

In K-12 grade education for every $50 that is spent on STEM education $0.05 is spent on civic education.

_NPR

Pirkei Avot 3:2

Rabbi Hanina, the vice-high priest said: pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear it inspires, every man would swallow his neighbor alive.

The Jewish people have a responsibility to make the world a better place for all. We must speak up and use our voice when something is wrong. Voting is one way we can use our voice. As Judaism teaches society is not peaceful without government, it is our job to form the government that will be the most perfect in an imperfect world.

_{Rabbinical Student Amanda K. Weiss}

Guiding Questions:

• What resonates with you? What challenges you?
• Who voted in the days of the Torah? Who votes now?
• Are Jewish citizens obligated to vote? Are Jewish citizens obligated to ensure that others can vote?