Yes, I’m addicted to the blogs at The American Conservative because as a progressive I find myself in agreement with them more often than not. In most cases my agreement involves foreign policy but this is an exception:
Ancient (and Modern) Ignorance
Mr. Gardner, may I introduce you to Leviticus 19? Yes, I know, that’s the chapter with the funny stuff about clothing made of two different materials, but notice this passage near the end:
When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Notice that the people of Israel are not only commanded to love their neighbors as themselves, but also love strangers as themselves. And notice also that in an ethnically diverse and multicultural ancient Middle East, the Israelites knew what it was like to be strangers in a strange land.
As I have noted before the evangelical Christians do a hell of a job of cherry picking Leviticus. They sit around eating pork and shell fish in their garments of mixed fabrics while condemning gays – justifying their homophobia. So what does this say about those brown legals and illegals? In addition it might be something Mr. Netanyahu might want to think about if he is truly a Jew.