Another Orthodox Jew appointed to High Office

Matthew Solomson, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (JNS)

I have often been challenged on my belief that Orthodox Judaism is the only legitimate form of Judaism. The corollary to that belief is that only Torah-based values, as upheld by observant Jews (commonly referred to as Orthodox), can be considered the definitive representation of the Jewish people.

The issue, of course, is that this excludes approximately 90% of American Jewry. How, then, is it possible - by any stretch of the imagination - to say that 90% of Jews do not represent the Jewish people? On its face, that seems as absurd as saying that 90% of anything does not define it, while only 10% does. In other words, if 90% of a population claims to represent Judaism, isn’t that what Judaism must be?

Except that it isn’t.

That would be like saying that if the majority of a city worships some form of idolatry, then that must be the true religion. Judaism is not a democracy. It is not defined by how the majority behaves, or by how the majority interprets morality. Judaism is defined by the One who created the Jewish people: God. He defines us as He wills, and He laid down the parameters of that definition in the Torah.

It doesn’t matter how many Jews believe in the Torah. They cannot ‘reform’ themselves into new definitions of Judaism. In fact, such reforms often do the opposite. They distort the identity and meaning.

Still, this reality leaves us with a painful truth: if only 10% of Jews are Orthodox, then 90% of us are left out when it comes to accurately representing Judaism's core values. Claiming that one’s values are Jewish does not make them so - no matter how many people believe it.

And yet, when I praise the president for recognizing Orthodox Jews as the authentic ‘representatives of Jewish values, I am often harshly criticized for ‘leaving out” 90% of the Jewish population. Those 90% are, without question, just as Jewish as the 10% who Orthodox are - assuming they are born of a Jewish mother or converted according to Halacha. Their inclusion in the Jewish people is not in dispute. But inclusion is not the same as defining the values of Judaism itself.

I have indeed been praising President Trump a lot lately for his recognition of this very fact. He clearly sees Orthodox Jews as the standard-bearers of Jewish values. While this is no doubt mostly due to the strong support Orthodox Jews have given him in both elections, there is more to it than politics. As I’ve said many times, his policies are far more aligned with Orthodox Jewish values. And, by contrast, far more out of step with the progressive values embraced by many non-observant Jews, most of whom voted against him.

So it should come as no surprise that President Trump favors Orthodox Jews and views non-Orthodox Jews unfavorably. That he views 90% of us that way is precisely why many people interpret some of his remarks about Jews as antisemitic. He is really talking about liberal Jews that do not share his values (nor the values of most Orthodox Jews).But if you’re Orthodox, the exact opposite is true.

So, I’ll say it again: I am once again proud to praise the president for appointing Matthew H. Solomson, an Orthodox Jew, as the next Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. According to JNS, Mr. Solomon is a Talmid Chacham and an active member of the RIETS Kollel at Yeshiva University.

This is not the reason he was chosen for the role. He is an exceptionally accomplished legal scholar, and among his many roles, he also serves as an adjunct professor at YU.

That said, I can’t help but feel that the fact that Mr. Solomon is both an Orthodox Jew and a supporter may have had some influence on the president’s decision.

And just like with other recent appointments of Orthodox Jews to high office, I could not be prouder to be both a Jew and an American - under a president who embraces and promotes the values of Judaism as understood by Orthodox Jews.

That being said , let me be absolutely clear: I do not, for a moment, abandon the 90% of my people who are misguided about Judaism. On the contrary, I truly love every single one of them. Regardless of their personal politics. They are my brothers and sisters. And it is my obligation as a Jew to reach out to them. To try and show them the true values of Judaism, and to demonstrate by example the beauty of living an observant lifestyle.