This week’s Forward carries a fascinating editorial on the relationship between religious freedom and church-state separation. Focusing on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, celebrated this past Thursday evening and Friday, the editorial reflects the tensions inherent in reconciling the two religion clauses of the First Amendment. It points out that most Jews in America see separation of church and state as a bedrock principle that assures them full and equal status as citizens. Yet despite insistence that the public square be religiously neutral, in many U.S. cities on Simchat Torah synagogues sponsor celebrations on the public streets, dancing and singing while holding Torah scrolls—a practice developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960’s to protest Communist repression.
The editorial recognizes the contradiction inherent in this, and comment that “the lines are never that clear or simple”. It concludes by saying that in the battle to maintain separation of church and state—which must continue to be fought-- Jewish liberals should not demonize conservatives who are trying to bring religion back to the public square, because “the Bible that conservatives seek to post on courthouse walls is the same one the we danced with on our blocked-off streets and avenues this week.” The full editorial is definitely worth reading.
