Declaration of Independence
Question
In the American Declaration of Independence, it famously states:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Is this the view of the Torah?
Answers
With all due respect, I hope the founders of the US would not take great offense from my reply.
Not really. Unless the definition of “liberty” is to live lives in our own individual ways but as Hashem demands from us. If, however, “liberty” means being able to do as one wants, then nothing could be further removed from the principles of the Torah.
The same is true for the “pursuit of happiness.” If happiness is my being able to have what I want, whenever I want, then this is not the Torah viewpoint. But if happiness is being involved in doing acts of kindness and trying to make the world a better place to live in – according to the Torah’s definition of “better” – then it certainly would fit into the way of Torah happiness.
As with many slogans and sayings, there is often no real connection between the beautiful (but extremely fluffy) words – and the reality of living according to the Torah in our real and imperfect world.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team