Our Decision

Dear Friends,

Whether or not you believe that President Obama should have asked Congress for authorization before launching a military strike against Syria, one thing is clear: the responsibility for making this decision now lies with all of us. Congress may be an imperfect instrument of the people’s will (LOL). But there is good reason to believe that our representatives will, in fact, be listening carefully to what we have to say before casting their vote on this vitally important question. I strongly urge each of you to contact your Congressman and Senators between now and when Congress comes back from its recess to share your views.

In fact, I would argue that it is our moral responsibility not to remain silent.

I realize that the phrase “remain silent” carries with it an enormous amount of baggage for us as Jews and in using it I am certainly not comparing what the Assad regime has done in Syria to the Holocaust. But, something need not rise to the level of an out and out genocide to require a response from us, even a military one. The use of chemical weapons is a violation of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention and is a war crime. For the United States to do nothing to punish the Syrian regime for this crime is a virtual invitation for them to do it again, and again. We may not want to be the world’s policemen but if no one else is willing to do it, can we truly just stand idly by and do nothing? The Torah portion that we read on Yom Kippur afternoon commands us, “Do not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds.” (Lev. 19:16) In Pirkei Avotthe great sage, Hillel, teaches, “In a place where no one is acting like a human being, try to be a human being.”

In addition to the moral argument our own safety and security is at stake. Doing nothing could easily lead other dangerous regimes (e.g. Iran, North Korea) to believe that America is a “paper tiger,” and that they can develop and use weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, with impunity. It is clearly in the interests of the United States not to allow that to happen.

Moreover, as Jews, we cannot ignore that what is dangerous to the United States in this case is ten times as dangerous for Israel. Some will point out that an attack against the Assad regime is itself dangerous for Israel, as Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel. But, Israelis, by and large, do not see it that way. Certainly, the danger is there and Israel is preparing for it. But, the danger of inaction is greater in the long term than the danger of taking action now. Let us support Israel by supporting an American strike against the Assad regime and pray for Israel’s safety and security.

I imagine that, like me, few of you want to see our country involved in the Syrian civil war. There are few “good guys” discernible among the rebels and the Assad regime is nothing if not despicable. There is no “good” result that one can envision from an ongoing, unlimited American military involvement. Consequently, a forceful, punishing attack from the air or sea of limited duration is likely the best option.

And let us be realistic about what such an attack will do. Such an attack is not going to end the civil war in Syria; it is not likely to lead to the ouster of President Assad. In fact, it is possible that it may not work at all, i.e. it may not deter him from the use of chemical weapons in the future. So why do it? Because the only thing worse than this would be to do nothing.

Our High Holy Days are a time of reflection, decision and judgment. Let us contemplate. Let us decide. Let us not remain silent.

L’Shanah Tovah – A good, safe, happy, healthy New Year to all of us and the entire world.

Rabbi Jordan Millstein