Freedom of Speech

Fireworks will illumine the sky.  Bands will play. We will grill burgers. We will celebrate our nation's freedom from tyranny. True enough, our nation is far from perfect. It is simple to catalog the many ills that beset our country. But, July 4 is an opportunity to celebrate. Never before during the history of this planet has there been a nation so open to many ideas, many opportunities, many people and many perspectives  for so long. Only look at the newspaper and we see too many nations whose priorities are violence, cruelty and abuse.

        We often take for granted the many freedoms we enjoy. We should never underestimate their value. For me, the greatest

gift of all is the freedom of speech. Speech differentiates us from the lower animals. As human beings we are defined by our ability to communicate. Imagine for a moment what we would be if we could not speak. Taken one step further-imagine how we would feel if we could speak and were prevented from doing so. The freedom to speak is as much a part of our identity as being human. Of course,free speech must always be protected. The greatest challenge before any open society is the balancing of the rights of all, recognizing that some are intent upon abusing free speech in order to bring about harm and devastation.

     This week’s Torah raises an interesting question concerning freedom of speech. Bilaam, considered a great orator, is offered much wealth to curse the Israelites as they are en route to the Promised Land. On three occasions he opens his mouth with the intent to curse and insult people who are different, simply because they are different. On all three occasions, at the very last moment, as words are about to exit his mouth the words become positive. What a transformation!  It’s not that simple though because we, the readers of the text, know that God has changed Bilaam’s words from negative to positive. Is all speech free?

     Perhaps in those days, when the survival of embryonic Israel was at stake, God jumped into the mix. Perhaps, God also learned that people need to be left to make their own choices and contend with the consequences.Each of us has a choice as to how to utilize speech.  Just like Bilaam, we are free to insult, to mock and to ridicule. We are free to comfort, to whisper, to laugh and to speak kindly. The choice is ours; even up to the very last moment as words exit our mouths.  The proper choice promotes true freedom and honor for all who hear and for all who speak. Shabbat shalom and Happy July 4!

Rabbi Steve Silberman

(Remember –Tomorrow evening and Saturday morning services-Wear RED, WHITE AND BLUE clothing! Show off your favorite & fun flip-flops or sandals! Try out your new togs-not too short!)

* Saturday 900- 9:45 short service.

Coffee break and Shmooze.

10:00-Noon Torah service

Special hot dog and baked beans for lunch!

Good dessert too!