Leibel

While many of you are dunking (to put it mildly) on President Carter, I’d suggest you consider what the Lubavitcher Rebbe said about him - and faulty (aka all) humans - on January 15, 1981, shortly after Carter lost his reelection bid to Ronald Reagan. “In a democracy such as the U.S.A., an orderly transference of government is effected through the electoral process. The choice made by the people in the polling booths decides who will occupy the highest office in the land — the Presidency; thereby ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition from one administration to the next. Yet a disturbing trend has been evident in past elections. When the previous incumbent in the Oval Office is the defeated candidate, his defeat has triggered a less than noble response; it is seized upon by some as an opportunity to rejoice in his discomfiture. Stripped as he now is of power, such critics fear no retaliation on his part; nor can they now expect to gain any favors. And so they indulge in the ignoble pastime of rubbing salt into the wound. But such is not the way of Torah. Notwithstanding any past mistakes, Torah bids us to be grateful, to acknowledge those good things which were done. In the eyes of Torah, to be an ingrate is a despicable thing, unworthy of any decent human being. And in the past administration, the outstanding achievement was the prevention of war. There were instances in the past four years, which, but for the endeavors of the President, could easily have led to war. Not only did he thus save millions of Americans from the horrors of such a consequence, but in all probability the rest of the world. And for this he deserves our thanks and gratitude. Possibly, political considerations would dictate greater caution in expressing gratitude, from fear of offending the new holder of the office. But the new President will undoubtedly tender recognition for the good accomplished; especially when the good was of such paramount importance as the prevention of war. A short note of caution is in order here. The above acknowledgment is in no way to be construed as a retraction from my previous stand concerning the Camp David accords. I reiterate as strongly as possible that it was, and remains, a disaster and peril for Jews and the rest of the world. The President’s part in the accords was, no doubt, motivated by the hope that it would bring peace — and for this he is to be commended. But the fact remains that all that has been achieved is that one side has made numerous concessions, including giving up land and essential oil supplies, for no substantive return whatsoever. Such concessions merely prompt demands for further concessions, creating an even greater danger to peace. To return to our main point: notwithstanding any errors made, we are enjoined by Torah to express gratitude where credit is due. This is a man who safeguarded the well-being of millions of Americans, and to him, we duly express our gratitude.”