This week in the United States is Election Week, the time when people in all 50 states cast their votes for issues and representatives at the local, state and national levels. There is often a great social weight to the decisions we as citizens make each November, which means that everyone of voting age is asked to consider his or her own social philosophy. For many, this boils down to a series of moral choices. When issues like health care are on the ballot, the way we feel about social responsibility definitely factors into the decision. For Jews we have to ask ourselves what our faith's philosophy says regarding the issues of our time. If our writings don't directly address these topics (as they often don't given how old many of them are), we have to extrapolate answers based on the spirit of the law rather than the letter. So, what is the Jewish perspective on the hot-button issues facing Americans in November 2010?
Health Care
Some states have ballot measures related to the ongoing reform of the American health care system this year. Approaching this topic is fairly simple from the Judaic perspective, but it's not cut-and-dry. Plainly, it is only consistent with the Jewish philosophy that the preservation of life and health are paramount in our responsibility as people. Any bill or initiative that makes it easier for as many people as possible to receive proper health care should be supported by Jews.
There is, though, one provision to this belief. The Jewish principle of Mitzvah, acts of goodness for the better of the world, does not require us to give of ourselves regardless of personal circumstance. If committing a mitzvah does more long-term harm than immediate good, or if in doing the mitzvah we give more of ourselves than we really have in our power to give, then it is not really a mitzvah. Modern health care policies are complex and not all of them truly benefit those who need medicine. Know what you are voting for before you vote and be sure that you are not putting those in need at a disadvantage with your vote.
Marijuana Decriminalization
Neither in the Torah nor anywhere in the commentaries do any Jewish philosophical texts say anything specific about cannabis, or for that matter the majority of psychoactive substances. The closest related text is in the Toritic and Talmudic discussions of drunkenness. Simply, intoxication of any sort is dangerous, especially when one is responsible for the well-being of others. It is not a sin merely to become intoxicated, but any acts of harm one commits while intoxicated are no less grievous as a result. Marijuana is an intoxicating substance, so if it is used (as it most certainly was in the time when the first Jewish texts were being composed) it should be used carefully and in moderation.
This in mind, whether or not our society removes most or all penalties for possessing, using and distributing marijuana is only a Jewish concern insofar as which option limits the potential for the irresponsible use of the substance. Will decriminalization make it easier or harder for children to obtain marijuana? Will a lack of penalties encourage or discourage excessive use? Do the decriminalization initiatives include provisions related to operating a vehicle or heavy machinery while intoxicated on marijuana, or for that matter acting as a child's guardian under its influence? These are the important Jewish questions for this issue, not the inherent moral qualities of the substance itself.
Limitation and Accountability of Elected Officials
There are several ballot measures this year that will determine new laws about people in positions of political power. Both biblically and historically, Jewish philosophy hasn't been kind to politicians. While Judaism is far from anarchistic, it generally favors judicial powers over legislative or executive powers. Any initiative that would hold elected officials more accountable to the law and public would be consistent with Jewish philosophy, especially if that initiative removes any privileges afforded to elected officials that exempt them from the same laws as the general public.
As Americans we have a responsibility to vote for what we believe is best for our country and its interactions with people all over the world. As Jews it is our duty to influence the preservation of life and uprightness wherever we go. When you cast your vote this week, do so with mitzvah in mind.