The First Jewish President Doesn't Know Much About Jewish History--Or Holidays, Or Theology...(Updated)

In an article this month giving a fawning description of the creating of Obama's Cairo speech, the LA Times describes how dozens of people were involved. A pity that no similar effort is put in preparing Obama to discuss Israel and the Jewish community.

Perhaps Jews and Israelis alike would be a bit more reassured if Obama had an inkling of the history of the re-establishment of the State of Israel. He appears unaware not only of the influx of Jews into Israel beginning in the late 19th century in pursuit of the Zionist dream. Obama also does not make any mention of the consistent presence of Jewish communities in Israel over the centuries.

Instead, Obama refers to the State of Israel as a purely 20th century phenomenon, and describes Israel merely as a refuge for Jews from the Holocaust and persecution. In an interview last year with Jeffrey Goldberg, Obama said:

I know that that there are those who would argue that in some ways America has become a safe refuge for the Jewish people, but if you’ve gone through the Holocaust, then that does not offer the same sense of confidence and security as the idea that the Jewish people can take care of themselves no matter what happens. That makes it a fundamentally just idea. [emphasis added]

And that is exactly how Obama framed the issue in his Cairo speech:

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied. [emphasis added]

Now we find out that Obama is not much more familiar with Jewish holidays. Last week, during a conference call with rabbis, he asked them to push for his health care reform bill--after first wishing them a Shana Tovah--a Good Year. Tevi Troy, writing last week, noted:

the Jewish New Year won’t take place until September 18th. In fact, today marks the beginning of the month of Elul, the last month before the New Year begins. And yet the president said “shanah tovah [happy new year] to all of you.” This is kind of like wishing people “Merry Christmas” on Thanksgiving.

Troy also notes a second oddity in Obama's decision to refer to the Jewish New Year:

is this really the context in which he wishes to discuss health reform — a powerful and unseen being making determinations of life and death? One would think that he would want to avoid anything that could raise the specter of rationing, death panels, or the like.

Andrew Klavan also has a bone to pick with Obama, on the theological implications of what Obama told the rabbis:

Referring to the belief that God decides during the Jewish New Year “who shall live and who shall die,” Obama told the rebs, “We are God’s partners in matters of life and death.”

In response to this statement I would like to make a subtle theological point: No, we’re not. For those of you who aren’t versed in the finer points of theology, let me try to simplify that for you: No. We’re not. Or to put it even more simply: No. We. Are. Not.

Now, I’m not a big Bible quoter. I understand it’s not everyone’s book of choice and doesn’t constitute proof of anything to non-believers. But since the president is talking to Rabbis here and presumably referring to a God they would recognize, let’s go the source and see what the big book has to say. For instance, when God tells Jeremiah (1:5), “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,” or when he sarcastically asks Job (38:17), “Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? Or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?” does that sound to you like a guy discussing matters with his partners? To me, God really seems to be suggesting there that we humans know sweet suffering goose-egg about the greater mysteries of life and death. Indeed, he seems to feel that the understanding of those mysteries is reserved for him alone and their disposition in his sole power. It’s possible, if properly understood, he might include even Barack Obama in his list of people whose partnership he is not soliciting in these matters.

Two other issues that have been raised are actually non-issues.

Paul Bedard writes that little has been made of Obama's early reference to the Jewish New Year,

But in September 2007, when Bush issued a holiday greeting a week early, he was roundly ridiculed for jumping the gun. The Washington Post said that there was "quizzical reaction" from even Bush's friends.

A former Bushie who remembered the spat said: "Strange. When GWB sent out Rosh Hashana greetings a few days early, he was mocked. Obama is an entire month too early, and no big whoop."

Bedard notes that a distinction does exist--Obama's comment was an informal nicety, while Bush made a formal statement.

Also, while the rabbis were waiting for Obama to start the conference call, they were put on hold--during which the music provided was Deutschland uber Alles. According to the Washington Jewish Week:, that music was not chosen by the White House but rather by the company that carried the conference call.

Still and all, one cannot help coming away with the feeling that in talking to the rabbis, Obama's lack of attention to detail was once again in evidence.

UPDATE: Mickey Kaus writes in an update to his post on this issue:

I'm now having mild, but gnawing, doubts as to the epistemological status of that Obama quote. Politico reports it (twice). It seems to come from the real time twitter feed of a rabbi who was in on the phone call. (The rabbi has since deleted the tweet, giving an odd explanation.) Press Secretary Gibbs was asked about the quote Friday, didn't deny it, but said he'd have to check the transcript....

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