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This is a great thread, and it reminds me of the Talmudic story (Sanhedrin 102b) of Rav Ashi, who teased his next day's lecture by saying "tomorrow we will discuss our 'friends'," referring to three idolator kings of Israel. (thread) https://twitter.com/McCormickProf/status/1278529694355292161
That night, he dreamt of King Menashe, excoriated in the Bible as a sinful King. Menashe challenges Rav Ashi, and even proves himself to be a superior Torah scholar, much to Rav Ashi's surprise.
A chastened Rav Ashi then wonders, "Since you were so wise, what is the reason you engaged in idol worship?" Manasseh responds, "Had you been there at that time, you would have lifted the hem of your cloak to more easily run after me towards the idols"
Rav Ashi walks into the study hall the next day and says, "We will begin by discussing our teachers."
Think of The Founding Fathers as King Menashe, slavery as idolatry. We as Rav Ashi. If you think about it a bit more, it's a really nuanced, wise take on the issue.
Think of The Founding Fathers as King Menashe, slavery as idolatry. We as Rav Ashi. If you think about it a bit more, it's a really nuanced, wise take on the issue.
You don't have to argue that the Founders were saints. The Talmud has no problem casting Menashe as a superior Torah scholar AND a disaster as a king who led Israel down a sinful path. The culture of idolatry was Menashe's reality but not an excuse; he should have known better.
You also don't get to be superior because your culture has moved past idolatry. If you lived then, the evil inclination towards idolatry was powerful. Just ask George Washington why, despite his growing discomfort, he never freed his own slaves until after his death.
It is possible that the Founding Fathers were sinners, who did evil things. We can appreciate that, and respect them, even calling them our "teachers," as Rav Ashi referred to Menashe, without losing sight of that reality.
The prophets hated Menashe, but he reigned for decades, revived the Judean economy, and deftly navigated geopolitics vis-a-vis a dominant, dangerous Assyrian empire. And his grandson was righteous. Maybe that should be the way we see the Founders.
