Despite being constructed in 22 Jersey communities local groups keep up their effort to prevent the construction of an ERUV. Two federal courts ruled the eruv is not unconstitutional.and does not violate the separation of church and state. Yet the anti-eruv groups file more law suits. On the surface the matter would appear minor, yet the groups seek to prevent orthodox Jews from moving into their neighborhoods, and are willing to spend mega-dollars for lawyers, as the law firms on the other side perform pro-bono.
Jewish law prevents carrying objects or wheeling carriages on the sabbath in public areas. By using telephone lines and poles they change the property via a Talmudic ruling to one whereby these actions are permissible. As the court stated in the Hampton case-the strips do not endorse religion.
Who are the loudest voices against the eruv? YOU GUESSED IT!
The Ayatollah in Iran recently urged Israelis to return to the USA and Europe.
After the recent federal court decision one irate resident is quoted as saying " This is America-! GO BACK TO WHERE YOU BELONG -YOU DO NOT BELONG IN THE HAMPTONS!"
MY QUESTION IS WHERE DO I BELONG?
A second generation America, a combat veteran- have I not earned the right to live and carry out my religious beliefs anywhere in this great country?
Yes I wear a skullcap-do not drive on the Sabbath-send my kids to religious school-does this make me any less a proud loyal citizen?
Are they prepared to utilize my surgical skills, but not accept me as a neighbor?
A recent local Jewish newspaper headline read
"State of NJ sues town of Mahwah for discrimination against orthodox Jews"
Religion can be a source of passion in molding personalities without inserting religious doctrine in our decisions.
God is inscribed on our coins. The chaplains of Congress pray daily for our country's welfare. The pledge of Allegiance refers to "one nation under G-d".
Our pluralistic society allows us to believe or reject religion
This is our heritage and are rights we should honor=However, BIGOTRY IS BIGOTRY no matter how you finesse it.
