Halakhic Activism

How involved should Jews, especially orthodox Jews, be in lobbying the government. Should we pro-actively try to get a Torah agenda applied to America? Should we cower like good little Diaspora Jews and only speak up when the government sanctions a pogrom (if then)?

The Republican controlled House is making great Christian strides to ban abortions (Bill Banning Abortion Procedure Advances). We can leave aside the nettling questions of pro-activism for the moment. Even leave aside the issue of religious reciprocity (meaning that why should we cower when the muscular majority, especially under Pope Bush II, is unabashed at shacking up church and state).

Halakha insists on partial-term abortions when the life of the mother is at stake. As the Times' story states: "The bill's opponents say it is unconstitutional because the language is so broad as to ban more than one type of abortion and because the bill does not include an exception allowing the procedure in cases where it is necessary for the pregnant woman's health."

We cannot allow a law that makes Halakha illegal. Whatever you feel about the abortion question, Halakha is crystal clear about this. Write your congressperson.