I have to tell the truth. If you had asked me last Saturday at lunch after Shabbat Services, “Rabbi Ron, what do you think of Charlie Kirk”? I would have had to reply, “I have no idea who that is”. Today, like my fellow American citizens, I’m very aware of him and his murder. In Jewish thought and theology, we are commanded, “Do not Kill” and “Do not commit Murder”. In my education, in Civics Classes all through my education here in the Los Angeles Unified School District, we were taught over and over again, the free exchange of ideas, the engaging in open and pubic debate of ideas, were basic to our American ideals of democracy. We were taught again and again, Political violence, the threat of Political violence, were contrary to American ideals. We were taught that murder in the name of politics was wrong. And it did not matter if the targe of that violence was Abraham Lincoln, MLK, JFK or President Ronald Reagan. Such action is wrong, misguided, evil and not our American way. And such actions are not in line with the ideals of our faith.
Today we grieve and offer prayers to the family of Charlie Kirk. Tomorrow, we must take action as Americans to make our nation live up to its highest ideals and values. That is our responsibility as citizens and as people of the Jewish faith.
B’Shalom,
Rabbi Ron Goldberg