The presidential candidates are acting like they have forgotten that they are running for President of the United States, the most important and dignified office in the world.
I’m not knocking or endorsing any specific candidate so here’s my advice to all of them: If you want to be the President, act like one.
But rather than just kvetching about the tone of the presidential campaign, in the spirit of Chasidism to learn a lesson from all that we encounter in life, let’s use it as a personal learning experience to bring more positive in to the world.
Which brings me to my point today.
The Haftorah that is usually read this Shabbat begins with the words “I formed this nation for myself. They declare my praise”
A Jew is G-d’s masterpiece and we bring glory to Hashem (this is especially true after the holocaust, when every Jew is a living miracle).
Just as a president, or presidential candidate, should live up to the office he or she represents, or would like to represent; so too we, as Jews, must strive to live up to the office we represent.
Every word that leaves our mouths, every decision and every action, ought to be carefully weighed; is this befitting of someone who is G-d ‘s masterpiece?
Act presidential. Don’t degrade the office you are representing!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Benjy Silverman
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