July 7, 2025
The Central Conference of American Rabbis’ 1999 Resolution on Budget Priorities begins,
“The Torah teaches that ‘there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land’ (Deuteronomy 15:11). From the time of the Mishnah, Jewish communities have taken that responsibility both as a command to every individual to give tzedakah and as a command to communities to provide for the poor. The Talmud specifically lists health care, charity funds, and childcare among the ten most critical functions that every community must provide (Sanhedrin 17b).”[i]
This vision of economic justice is a central concern of Torah, an exhortation of the prophets, and a focus of our American Reform rabbinate from its earliest days. Our most ancient texts urge us to care for the poor and needy, and call us to create a society in which all who need can receive help. In this tradition, the Central Conference of American Rabbis is dismayed by recently adopted legislation being referred to as “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
This sweeping legislation will cut millions of Americans off from assistance that combats hunger and disease. Funding cuts will severely limit the ability of states to aid their poorest residents with healthcare, at rural hospitals, in nursing homes for those on Medicaid, and with nutrition programs. These severe budget cuts and many more like them will meanwhile fund tax cuts for America’s highest earners, as well as purchasers of gun silencers, among others.
We learn in תנ״ך (Tanach, Hebrew Scripture), צדקה תציל ממות, “tzedakah (charitable giving intended to combat injustice) saves from death” (Proverbs 10:2). CCAR rabbis implore those who will be receiving tax cuts as a result of this legislation to direct those tax savings to charitable giving that feeds the hungry, provides medical care to the poor, and addresses rural healthcare, among other increasingly pressing needs of the most vulnerable Americans. Though it must be the responsibility of our government to care for those in greatest need, we are grateful for those in our communities whose generosity and compassion will make a difference in the months and years to come. And we call on all members of the CCAR and our communities to make their voices heard in support of the voiceless, to carry out the sacred duty of caring for the needy, and to advocate persistently for what we Americans expect from our legislators.
The promise of America, the teachings of Torah and our sages, and the direction set by our American Reform founders demand that, for the sake of life, none among us should go hungry or lack access to medical care. To do anything less violates the Jewish values that Reform rabbis hold dear.
Rabbi David A. Lyon, President
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis
[i] https://www.ccarnet.org/ccar-resolutions/federal-budget-priorities-1999/.
CCAR statements are grounded in the history of CCAR resolutions and platforms. We strive to represent the overall voice of the CCAR leadership and the Reform rabbinate on critical issues of the day. The CCAR is a diverse community of rabbis, and we recognize the multiplicity of viewpoints that exist within our membership. We encourage those of differing perspectives to engage in respectful dialogue. It is our hope that these statements provide the Reform community with deeper understanding of important issues that impact our lives as Jews and as global citizens.