Day 37
Jews and Good Citizenship
In loving memory of Michael Berman by his wife Esther, children and grandchildren.
Can we learn how to be good citizens by studying canonical Jewish texts? In a tradition as rich and diverse as our own, something can always be found. But it may be that in its mainstream thinking, we will find very little. We must take that risk; we must be ready to acknowledge the possibility of a lack.
What do we mean by “good citizen”? Do we mean: A law-abiding person, paying his taxes, deferring to legitimate authority, not causing any trouble? Call this the “passive or minimal good citizen.” Or do we mean: A person realising himself in his contribution to public affairs, and participating as one among equals in the governing of his society? Call this the “active or maximal good citizen.” Each conception has its champions.
On the first, minimal conception of the good citizen, the Jewish tradition has much to say. How might the prudent Jewish subject best relate to the ruling powers? Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) gives our tradition’s most considered answer. In summary, he should pay his taxes and keep his distance. In the language of the tractate itself: “Love work and despise mastery; do not make your- self known to the government; if you cannot avoid contact with it, be cautious, because it is not your friend; but pray for its welfare, for it is only fear of it that stops men swallowing each other alive.” If the Pirkei Avot Jew has a favoured political form, it is hereditary monarchy. But he is in his heart apolitical, and he has his gaze fixed on messianic days. So far from regarding politics as a vocation, he regards political (and commercial) cares as burdens, which it is the merit of Torah study to ease.
