A 21st-Century Herod?

Pirkei Avot, or Ethics of the Fathers is a collection of sayings by rabbis of the Talmudic period. It is studied, in whole or in part, by Jews everywhere. I'm convinced, however, that Eric Cantor never heard of it.

Had he, he might have learned this: "Shemaya says: Love work; despise positions of power; and do not become overly familiar with the government." (Chapter 1; Verse 10) Shemaya was head of the rabbinical court during the reign of Herod, the Jewish figurehead king who ruled Israel with Rome's blessings.

Nineteen centuries later, German Rabbi Sampson Raphael Hirsch commented on Shemaya's advice: "...we must preserve our ability to follow our own principles...'love work,' for this leads to economic independence..'despise positions of power,' for leadership is enslavement. A person in power will do things to protect his own power and prestige, thinking that he must do them. Such activities are frequently contrary to his own views."

Other than a few years in the family real-estate business, Eric Cantor's career has consisted of running for and holding political office. Even as a college freshman, Cantor worked as an intern for a Republican congressman. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates while still in his 20s, and has been climbing the political ladder ever since. Now he smells John Boehner's Speaker seat, and he seems to be willing to destroy the full faith and credit of the United States government in order to nab it.

Based on Shemaya's pronouncment, one might suspect a Talmudic suspicion of government. Rabbi Chanina, a deputy to the High Priest during the Roman occuation of Israel, proclaimed otherwise: "Pray for the welfare of the government, because if people did not fear it, a person would swallow his fellow live." (Chapter 3, Verse 2) Indeed, prayers for the host government have been offered in synagogues around the world for centuries, even when host governments were less than hospitable to Jews.

By allowing the U.S. government to default on its financial obligations, Eric Cantor demonstrates an abhorrence for government and the rule of law. One need only take a look at the unintended consequences unfolding in Minnesota to see what happens when government is strangled. Even Grover Norquist only wanted to "shrink the government to a size where it can be drowned in a bathtub." Cantor is actually trying to drown it!

Needless to say, Mr. Cantor is not about to ask my advice, so I'll offer it unsolicited: Find a nice synagogue near your home and start learning the classic Jewish texts. In particular, look for a class in Pirkei Avot. Only then will you be able to understand exactly how far off-base you are.