delray beach orthodox rabbi

                                                                              B"H
                       
Erasing the names of Washington and Lincoln

Every few years life as I knew it changes. What I was taught at school is either no longer important or there is a newer better way to teach. Have you heard of ‘new math’? Now I really don’t understand exactly what it is but I remember when the grocer had the pencil behind his ear and rarely if ever made a mistake. Nowadays, supermarkets have digital scanners and the process requires no skill or thought. Is it a step forward? 

In the latest revision of math I propose a new and novel equation: 2+44=0. It defies all the rules of my youth but seems to be acceptable today.  Don’t be concerned, my mathematical skills are not lacking. My equation is more a statement on political correctness than third grade addition. I vividly remember during my formative years, standing with pride and reciting the pledge of allegiance. In my naivete I assumed that everyone who recited the words “under God'' had a similar belief system to me. I also recall the two days off from yeshiva during the month of February. My birthday is on February 16th, but that date didn’t merit a vacation day. I refer of course to the precursor of the nameless President’s Day. In my youth we respected the legacies of two great American presidents. We didn’t commemorate their yahrzeits, we commemorated their life. We all knew that President Lincoln’s birthday was on February 12th and President Washington’s was on February 22nd. 

While it may be politically correct to have a day dedicated to all presidents, I believe it does a disservice to the memories and legacies of the great presidents. Instead of enhancing the presidency it serves to diminish their overall importance. As a child I remembered President Washington because he was the founding president of this great country (and although he cut down the cherry tree, he never lied.) We respected him because he was held on a pedestal. Likewise we remembered President Lincoln because freeing the slaves and committing to creating a society where all Americans were treated with equality was of paramount importance. 

Sadly, I believe that by celebrating a generic Presidents Day we do a disservice to our children. Yes, we knew the names of all the presidents but we also realized that only a select few deserved to be perpetually honored. A friend of mine recently told me to celebrate change, yet sometimes I think that change for change’s sake is counterproductive. 

I think 2 plus 44 serves only to diminish the value of the 2. Hence, my math skills might not be accurate but who knows, maybe that too will change. 

Happy Presidents Day!
Rabbi Jack Engel