Senator Tim Kaine’s recent dismissal of the idea that rights originate from a divine source over government laws highlights a troubling gap in understanding America’s foundational principles. His criticism of this concept, which he likened to Iranian beliefs, overlooks its roots in the Declaration of Independence and the early republic’s political philosophy. The role of biblical narratives and Hebraic ideas in shaping American governance remains underappreciated, despite historical evidence demonstrating their profound influence on the nation’s founding documents and political thought.
The book Jewish Roots of American Liberty by Wilfred McClay and Stuart Halpern explores how Hebrew scripture, particularly Deuteronomy, shaped 18th-century American political discourse more than Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. Historians such as Donald S. Lutz have shown that biblical texts were frequently referenced in early American literature, reflecting a cultural reliance on scriptural wisdom. This Hebraic influence extended to the Founding Fathers, who, despite theological differences, engaged deeply with biblical language and themes.
The authors examine how Protestantism’s emphasis on individual interpretation of scripture fostered a political culture rooted in personal responsibility and skepticism of centralized authority. This mindset aligned with the doctrine of human fallibility, as seen in James Madison’s Federalist Papers, which framed government as necessary to control both the governed and itself. The volume also highlights how biblical narratives informed American movements for justice, from abolitionism to civil rights, emphasizing dignity and moral accountability.
McClay and Halpern argue that modern America has drifted from this legacy, reducing biblical references to mere idioms rather than foundational principles. They contend that religious Americans, including Jews, have a duty to preserve the nation’s civic ethos, which they link to Hebraic notions of justice and equality. The book concludes with a call to reexamine these roots to reaffirm the moral underpinnings of American democracy.
Jewish Roots of American Liberty: The Impact of Hebraic Ideas on the American Story by Wilfred McClay and Stuart Halpern (Encounter Books, $32.99) offers a compelling analysis of how biblical traditions continue to shape national identity.