Letter 43

Letter 43

S. Tamar Kamionkowski

Professor of Biblical Studies
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

March 3, 2017

Dear President Trump, Vice President Pence, Members of the Trump Administration and 115th Congress,

One of the great hallmarks of our democracy is the right to freedom of speech. The very first article of the Bill of Rights states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

It is this fundamental American value that ensures the American people, your employers, the right to openly review your performance. This is what supports a robust and diverse press and allows you to tweet without censorship.

Jewish tradition has important wisdom to offer about how we use our speech. Leviticus 19:16 states: “Do not go around as a gossipmonger among your people.” The concept of leshon ha’ra (evil speech) emerged from this verse. Jewish law forbids all negative speech that may bring emotional, financial, physical or reputational harm to another person.

There is nothing more powerful than words. In biblical laments, the primary cause of personal anguish was wrongful or hateful speech. Psalm 109:2-3 reads: “For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me speaking against me with lying tongues. They beset me with words of hate.” The primary cause of suffering in this literature was not physical assault or financial distress, but harmful speech.

Jewish tradition shows that the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is absolutely false. The gift of speech is one of our most precious and powerful tools. Our speech changes the world. Angry speech generates more anger and fear. Hurtful speech creates pain and divisiveness; but words of kindness and compassion set the stage for unity and security.

As you serve the American people, how will you exercise your right to free speech? What kinds of words will create your legacy?

Sincerely,

S. Tamar Kamionkowski

S. Tamar Kamionkowski
Professor of Biblical Studies
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

About the author

S. Tamar Kamionkowski, Professor of Biblical Studies at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, holds a B.A from Oberlin College, an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, and a Ph.D in Near Eastern and Judaic studies from Brandeis University. She is the author of Leviticus: A Wisdom Commentary (Liturgical Press, forthcoming), Gender Reversal and Cosmic Chaos: Studies in the Book of Ezekiel (Sheffield Academic Press, 2003), co-editor of Bodies, Embodiment and Theology of the Hebrew Scriptures (T&T Clark, 2010), and she has written numerous articles on biblical literature, feminist readings of biblical texts, and the intersection between scholarship and social justice.