September 20, 2000
Agudath Israel's September 20, 2000 statement about recent Senator Lieberman comments
In reaction to comments made by Senator Joseph Lieberman on the "Imus in the
Morning" radio program this past Friday, including his disparagement of a
traditional Jewish blessing and his denial of any Jewish religious ban on
Jews marrying outside their faith, Agudath Israel of America issued the
following statement:As an observant Jew who finds himself in the world spotlight, Senator Lieberman has a great opportunity to help American Jews and non-Jews alike better understand Jewish beliefs and practices. And whenever he has done so, as through his much-admired dedication to the Jewish Sabbath or dietary laws, a kiddush Hashem (sanctification of G-d’s name) has resulted. Unfortunately, Senator Lieberman effected precisely the opposite when he implied, on a nationally syndicated radio program, that the Jewish liturgy is subject to individual Jews’ whims, and that Jews are not banned by their faith from marrying non-Jews. The Senator’s statements misrepresent basic foundations of our faith, and carry the tragic potential of misleading countless Jews on issues of fundamental importance to the future of the Jewish community.
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