Jewish Collective Values

In spite of the efforts of many nations to suppress the Jewish people and our collective values, both have had a profound effect on democracy. Jewish traditions and values permeated the creation of the United States, which has since effected the creation of democratic governments in all the furthest reaches of the globe. Judaism has always been dedicated to democracy. From our earliest days, the Jewish people have stressed a covenant between the powerful and the masses. This relationship is not only valued between G-d and His people, but also between rulers and their subjects. Such an idea is crucial to democracy; it implies that the actions of the powerful are subject to the approval of their constituents. Additionally, Jews have throughout history shown an unparalleled dedication to common education and to charity. Both of these are inherently conducive to a democratic system; in addition to the power to have its voice heard, a citizenry must be well-informed and educated in order to effectively advocate for itself and check the powers of those whose policies affect them. The value of charity begets a …show more content…
For example, an educated populace with a strong sense of civic duty and morality is often cited as one of the most imperative facets of a democratic political system. Indeed, Jews throughout history have stressed the importance of both of these things; Jews have, especially in their millennia in the diaspora, stressed the importance of education for all of their people, as a Jewish education includes the instillment of crucial values such as charity and community duty. It is not a coincidence that these traits are so integral to democracy; in order to survive oppression in Europe, after all, Jews had to form their own communities which serve each member well. Almost all of these manifested in the form of relatively egalitarian congresses, unparalleled in the world around