With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.
In case you missed it, catch up with day 21 HERE. We hope you are enjoying this journey to dig deeper into what inspired those who wrote the Constitution. If you are, TWEET IT!
For today’s reading: CLICK HERE
George Washington’s Letter to the Hebrew Congregation
George Washington was a man full of faith. There is nothing more evident of that than how he conducted himself and chose his words. It was often, even on the battlefield as General, that he was seen kneeling in prayer seeking Divine guidance.
During his years as President, the Constitution had little to say about religious freedoms. The Bill of Rights had yet to be adopted. But, Washington had an inspired understanding that, as the Declaration of Independence stated, we are endowed with certain Natural Rights. That they are given by a Higher being, not by the government. And, that these Natural Rights were held in possession by all, that there was no discrimination to either of the faiths.
George Washington took liberty to express those sentiments to a group of Jewish Americans in a response to a note that he received from them. The note was of congratulatory nature. And, in his letter to the Hebrew congregation, he wished to express that religious liberty was not a gift given or granted by the government. It was, and is, a Natural Right. One that every person has the freedom to participate in.
In the letter, he also took liberty to give his personal blessing to them. It was his wish that they continue to be blessed in this land of opportunity, as was that everyone receive that consistent blessing.
It is with great humility, and wish, that we continue with the inspiration of the likes of George Washington. His Reverence and Faith stood the trials presented to him, and he still remains a pillar “worthy of imitation.”
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