The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

"Regarding the kindness (Chesed) that our government, the United States of America, has bestowed upon us —which Hashem in His abundant mercy on the remnant of Jews from the countries of Europe, and the remnant of the Torah giants and their disciples which He has brought here to reestablished both the old institutions of Europe as well as new ones.

And since this kingdom of kindness (malkhus shel hesed), whose entire goal is to benefit the residents of the country, established many programs to assist students in all the schools of the country that they may be able to learn and grow in their studies that also the Torah institutions receive great assistance for their students- certainly all of the Roshei Yeshivoss, principals  and students recognize all of the goodness of this country and daven and give Brochus for the nation's peace (Shalom) and daven and give Brochus to the leaders of the coutry- with all possible Brochus."

These 160 words of Daas Torah of  Rav Moshe ZT"L, represent for all of us what our attitude must be towards this great and hospitable country that Hashem in His mercy has allowed us to reside in.

Rav Moshe defined America as a Malchus Shel Chesed – a country whose guiding principles are rooted in kindness.

He elaborated and stressed that, "All of the government's intentions and agenda are to better the lives of the residents of the county."

Coming from Czarist and eventually Soviet Russia, Rav Moshe was well-placed to recognize and appreciate the distinction between the raison d'être of the United States of America and that of every other host country in which Jews had resided throughout their long diaspora experience.

Rav Moshe declared unequivocally that the United States of America was a Mlachus Shel Chesed —a Government of kindness —a revered status rarely, if ever, seen in Halachic literature regarding a non-Jewish authority.

Rav Moshe stressed that this recognition of the unique nature of America is so self-evident that "certainly all Roshe Yeshivos and their students Daven and give Brochus for the Shalom of the country and all who lead the country."

Indeed, Rav Moshe's sensitivity to give honor to the Malchus (government) is further evidenced in his allowance for a Rav to be on the committee and to solicit funds from the Jewish community to erect a statue honoring President Kennedy following his assassination.

(See Iggros Moshe, Y.D. 2:54 – written on January 13, 1964, less than two months after the assassination).

Rav Moshe allowed this not only because of Darchei Shalom —maintaining good relations with the non-Jewish world —but also because it is proper "to honor the government."

The Torah teaches in Devarim (23:8): "You shall not despise an Egyptian, for you were a sojourner in his land."

Rashi comments, "You shall not despise an Egyptian: "At all. Even though they cast your male infants into the Nile. You may not despise them, because they hosted you in a time of dire need."

If the Torah demands of us not to "Hate an Egyptian" as a show of gratitude for their "hosting" us in our time of need. Is there any question of our obligation to show gratitude ot the United States of America?

We live in a country that has been more welcoming and supportive of the Jewish people than any other host country.

Just days ago, we saw the President of our country utilize American soldiers and weapons to attack and obliterate a nuclear threat to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

We have seen a Catholic  member of Congress- Elise Stefanik- say publicly, "Israel fulfills Isaiah's prophecy, to be a light unto nations."

Could we have imagined a Catholic government official ever asking a president of her own alma mater, "Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard's rules of bullying and harassment? Yes or no?"

And when that President replied, "it depends on the context,"- Elise Stefanik replied emphatically, "It does not depend on the context, the answer is yes, and this is why you should resign. These are unacceptable answers across the board."

Can we ever have imagined a Catholic government official in any other time in Jewish history speaking in defense of Jews to a non-Jewish university president?

Based on the above and so much more, I feel thankful to Hashem for allowing us to live in this Malchus Shel Chessed (Government of Kindness), and I feel proud to wish all of us a Happy Independence Day!

Hashem should continue to bestow His Brocha on the Malchus Shel Chessed known as the United States of America.