Redstate

Posted at 1:47am on Apr. 20, 2008 Quotes That Catch My Fancy (Passover Edition)

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

Gentlemen:

While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.

The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.

If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.

The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy--a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.

May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants--while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.

May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.

G. Washington

--Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport, August, 1790.

Posted in Miscellanea | Passover — Comments (18)/ Email this page » / Read More »

Posted at 6:10pm on Apr. 19, 2008 Happy Passover

By California Yankee

"And you shall explain to your son on that day, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I went free from Egypt.'"  Exodus 13:8:

Passover, begins today at sundown. For eight days, Jews celebrate freedom.

In the Book of Exodus, a simple Jewish shepherd named Moses was instructed by God to go to Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II and demand the freedom of his people.

Moses' plea to the Pharaoh to "Let my people go," was ignored.

Moses warned the pharaoh that God would severely punish the people of Egypt if the Israelites were not freed, but still the Pharaoh failed to heed Moses' plea.

According to scripture, God unleashed a series of 10 terrible plagues on the people of Egypt: blood, frogs, vermin, flies, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and last but not least, the slaying of all first-born children.

Moses and his people were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

Passover is celebrated with family gatherings wonderful meals called Seders, and the retelling of the story of the Israelites exodus from Egypt.

In our mixed-faith family we have developed a wonderful tradition of sharing our Seder with as many of our friends, Jews and gentiles alike, as our home can comfortably hold.

Whether you're Jewish or not, take a moment to contemplate the joys of your freedom, your responsibility to maintain it, and those not fortunate enough to have freedom to enjoy.

First posted at California Yankee on April 23, 2005.

Posted in Holidays | Miscellanea | Passover — Comments (4)/ Email this page » / Read More »