in Jewish religious literature regarding
certain aspects of the issue. He did
not, however, make clear that no nor-
mative Jewish religious source permits
abortion in cases like the overwhelm-
ing majority of those that take place
daily in America. Then he compound-
ed the misleading statement by con-
tending, astoundingly, that "like
everything else in Judaism, ultimately,
it's up to each of us to decide what we
think is right."
Judaism, however, is not about
deciding what we think is right. It is
about doing what God says is right.
The issue is not Sen. Lieberman's
personal observance. No Jew should
arrogate to judge another's success in
aiming at the ideal of perfect obser-
vance. What is of concern is that the
senator has spoken, in effect, on
behalf of Judaism. Whether or not he
has usurped rabbinical territory, he has
certainly touched upon it. That is
fine, if one speaks from deep knowl-
edge of and deep sensitivity toward
the Jewish religious tradition.

But only then.
Any observant Jew who heard or
read Sen. Lieberman's recent com-
ments could not but feel deep
anguish. I certainly did.
In recent months, worried over
the possibility that the vice presiden-
tial-hopeful might mislead anyone
about Jewish belief or practice, I
have publicly and consistently main-
tained that he should not be held
responsible to present the image of
perfect Jewish observance. Lieber-
man is running, I was quoted in the
press as saying, for vice president
and not chief rabbi.
Knowing those facts, a number of
Agudath Israel's constituents contacted
me in the wake of the senator's recent
comments. One person e-mailed the
following message: "Gosh: I don't envy
the tightrope that you have to walk
every day!"
My response was immediate: It isn't
I who is walking any perilous
tightrope here.
It's Sen. Lieberman. ❑

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