Two letters

Excellent and thoughtful post at PowerLine today regarding a letter from the Congregation of the Touro Synagogue to President George Washington and his letter of reply: bq. Teaching the free man American Jews are celebrating their three-hundred and fiftieth anniversary here. The first Jewish community in North America was established in New Amsterdam (New York) in 1654. In 1658 fifteen Jewish families arrived in Newport, Rhode Island. By 1759 their numbers and resources had increased sufficiently that they undertook the construction of what has become America's oldest synagogue, the Touro Synagogue of Newport. A bit more -- Washington's visit was in 1790 -- I am not quoting the entire post, just cherry-picking paragraphs to flesh out the story. bq. In anticipation of Washington's visit to Newport, the congregation prepared a letter welcoming Washington for presentation to him at a public event on the morning of August 18. The letter was authorized by the congregation's board and signed by its president, Moses Seixas. It is Washington's magnificent letter responding to Seixas's that is known as a testament to religious freedom and that has become famous as one of the classic statements of religious toleration in America. And in conclusion, The Big Trunk has the following thoughts to offer: bq. The letter remains a timely reminder of the rarity of religious freedom and equal rights, of the gratitude their protection should occasion, and of the measures necessary to safeguard them from the contemporary adherents of "the Babylonish empire." The congregation's beautiful letter is called to mind by Dennis Prager's Los Angeles Times column noting his celebration of Hanukkah at a White House party attended by President and Mrs. Bush this past week: "Born-again president, White House Hanukkah." Like a true descendant of Seixas, Prager invokes twin patriarchs in his column -- Abraham and George Washington. bq. In his "Elegy in Memory of W.B. Yeats," Auden concludes: "In the prison of his days/Teach the free man how to praise." In this column Dennis Prager not only teaches the free man how to praise, he also renews the vows that bind us to our beloved country. Something to meditate on during the coming Christmas season...