The RCA Condemns the Murder of George Floyd
June 1, 2020
ט' סיון תש״פ
The Rabbinical Council of America, the leading membership organization of Orthodox rabbis in North America, condemns the senseless murder of George Floyd. He, like every human being, was created in the image of Almighty, and the loss of his life is a tragedy.
Furthermore, we stand together with all who fight racism, bigotry and hatred. We believe that the equal rights and opportunities guaranteed by our laws are, as the founders of this great land proclaimed, "inalienable rights" which derive from our Sacred Scripture. As a faithful Jewish community, we stand together with all who defend the rights of others, especially the "widow, the orphan and the stranger."
We also condemn the lawlessness of the few who defile the memory of George Floyd and others, by rioting and looting. The key to effecting positive change is through peaceful demonstration, not through destroying property, looting and harming others.
"Our rabbis taught that society subsists on the three basic values: law, truth, and peace," said Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, the president of the Rabbinical Council of America. "We call upon those in government and law enforcement not only to preserve the law, but also to restore justice, fairness and a sense of compassion to all. Inciteful language must cease, and efforts must be expended which will educate our society away from racism and towards a better understanding each for the other."
"We stand resolute in our belief that the goodness of human nature will prevail, but we call upon everyone to end the violence," added Rabbi Binyamin Blau, first vice president of the RCA. "While the hurt and the anger felt and expressed today must not be ignored, the solution to our national pain will only come through peaceful demonstration, deliberate conversation, and effective action. As Dr. King said, 'Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.'"