President Trump is locked in a battle with Congress for the necessary funding to construct a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border.
If you’ve been keeping up lately with your local left-wing Jewish organization, you’re probably under the impression that Jewish theology not only prohibits the creation of a wall but staunchly promotes open borders. In other words, a border wall represents the ultimate horror to this interpretation of Judaism.
But don’t let these critics confuse you: President Trump’s “America-first” immigration policies fall perfectly in place with both Jewish history and traditional religious thought.
For centuries, the Jewish people have understood the importance of protecting both national identity and security through the creation of barriers. This is one of the many reasons that more traditional Jews support both President Trump and his border wall.
It’s unsurprising that Jewish organizations like HIAS, Bend the Arc and If Not Now have recently slammed President Trump’s “America-first” policies, claiming that they violate key tenants of Judaism. These groups masquerade as representatives of American Jewry while in reality are little more than left-wing political activists espousing the idolatrous Tikun Olam ideology.
Not to mention that these same organizations have lambasted the state of Israel for its border wall, despite the proven results.
In fact, as a rabbi with over 17 years of study in rabbinic seminary, I can tell you that the Jewish people have a long history building walls. In Judaism, walls have been utilized as a means of protecting our national identity and communities.
Moreover, walls were commonplace in Jewish society as not only a protective measure for the purpose of self-defense but as a means of protecting both our Judeo-Christian values and nation and its citizens. Furthermore, walls have served as a safeguard from those who seek to impose secularism, protecting our Judeo-Christian values.
Historians have noted, that almost all ancient Jewish cities contained an inner wall and an outer wall, that is to create a separation between the public domain, which belongs to all, and the private domain which belongs to the family.
Interestingly, walls are so embedded in Jewish law and culture that in fact, Hebrew is the only language that distinguishes between different types of walls — including more than six words for the term “wall.”
To be clear, unlike the liberal progressive narrative of Judaism in modern times, Judaism is in fact very concerned with boundaries and separation.
In terms of the physical realm, a border wall in the Jewish state has been proven to be quite effective — just ask Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After constructing a wall on its Egyptian border, Israel saw a nearly 99-percent reduction in illegal immigration. Suicide bombings, terrorist attacks and the flow of illegal goods have also dramatically decreased after Israel constructed an assortment of walls across its sovereign borders.
We should use the Jewish state as an example to quell some of the serious problems at our own border. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal drugs flow into the United States each year from Mexico. Gang members from the murderous MS-13 organization whose motto translates to “kill, rape, control” make the trek from El Salvador and Honduras to the southern border. Children are illegally trafficked by villainous smugglers. This madness must come to an end.
President Trump has been crystal clear about his mission to spark the renewal and recognition of American exceptionalism through his #MAGA agenda. Curbing illegal immigration, the flow of dangerous narcotics and restoring a sense of national identity through sovereignty is key to that agenda.
For centuries, Jews have understood the importance of walls. It’s time for Congress to do the same.
Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz (@YMosko) is a policy consultant on Middle Eastern affairs for several prominent think tanks and elected officials and is an active member of the Orthodox Jewish community.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of The Daily Caller.