An Orthodox Rabbi Befriends Christian Conservatives

June 25, 2005

Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/24/AR2005062401891.html?referrer=email&referrer=email

On June 25, 2005 The Washington Post reported, "Every few weeks or so Rabbi Daniel Lapin finds a reason to fly east from his home in Mercer Island, Wash., near Seattle, and spend a few days here. He might be leading a Bible study on the Hill, having dinner with his 'close friend' House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, breakfast with Karl Rove. Last year he came for a private Shabbat dinner with President Bush. 'The president recognizes my enthusiasm for his faith,' says the rabbi... For conservatives searching for biblical foundations for their political positions, Lapin is validation from the original source. His specialty is finding support in the Torah for what turns out to be the current Republican platform: lower taxes, decreased regulation, pro-traditional family policies. 'The principles of the Republican Party and the convictions of our president more closely parallel the moral vision of the God of Abraham than those of anyone else,' Lapin said at the dinner with Bush, hosted by Ralph Reed. Lately he's joined the crusade against what conservatives call 'activist judges': 'It's like the verse in Jeremiah where God says, I will be your king and I will be your lawgiver and I will be your judge. Therein lies the core. The founders enshrined three branches of government... and I find unusual this seizure of power by judges that rightly belongs to the people.'"