Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land: The Hebrew Bible in the United States: A Sourcebook

Reviews

William McGurn, The Wall Street Journal

"[This book is] not arguing that America was founded as a Jewish nation. Nor is their subject Jews in America, or the role of Jews in the American Founding. Their proposition is more supple and profound: that at key moments in the national story, Americans have looked to the ancient Israelites to understand themselves, their blessings and their challenges."

Jeff Jacoby, The Boston Globe

"Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land: The Hebrew Bible in the United States is a sourcebook spanning more than two centuries of American history, from the arrival of the Pilgrims through Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. Compiled by Meir Soloveichik, Matthew Holbreich, Jonathan Silver, and Stuart Halpern... the book conveys how profoundly the Hebrew Bible shaped the way non-Hebrew America understood itself." 

Liel Leibovitz, Tablet

"Which, again, makes Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land such a treasure. Far from a mere compendium of ancient curiosities, it could—and should—be read as a primer on how Americans think, and have always thought, about community and about government, about justice and about faith and about all other topics that move the hearts of women and men." 

Wilfred McClay, The Jewish Review of Books

"But as this valuable new anthology of American political, legal, and ecclesiastical texts from the first half of American history shows vividly, the influence went even deeper than that. As scholars have long understood, but many Americans have forgotten, Puritans identified themselves with ancient Israel. So much so that it would not be an overstatement to say that the deep structure provided by the great stories of the Jewish people became the template according to which they sought and found the meaning of their own history and lives." 

Daniel Dreisbach, Mosaic

"Proclaim Liberty makes indispensable reading for anyone interested in religion's contributions to American political thought and culture... A book not only for students of history but also for students of the sacred works themselves, Proclaim Liberty invites meditation on the enduring political, legal, and spiritual impact of these texts that traveled from Sinai’s deserts to America’s shores." 

Michael Helfand, The Forward

"That this sourcebook bears on contemporary political deliberation may seem odd given that the collected texts themselves date primarily from the 17th through the mid-19th century. Yet in highlighting how generations of prominent American historical figures placed the bible front and center when they spoke and wrote, this anthology invariably asks the reader to evaluate the role of Jewish text and values within the context of political debate and deliberation." 

David Conway, Law & Liberty

"The anthology contains a marvelously detailed account of the constitution that the Hebrew Bible reports was ordained for the Israelites, as well of its merits."

Yisroel Ben-Porat, The Lehrhaus

"By situating its sources within the framework of Jewish thought, Proclaim Liberty raises fundamental questions about the meaning, nature, and significance of the American biblical legacy."

Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, Orthodox Union

"While this book will no doubt be of particular interest to American history buffs, it need not be limited to them. Consider my aforementioned list giving examples of some whose works are examined in Proclaim Liberty…: John Witherspoon, Cotton Mather, Frederick Douglass, Brigham Young and Julia Howe. Those who don't know who those people are might say, 'This book is not intended for me.' Quite the opposite! This is our American cultural history and it behooves us all to be familiar with such people. If we’re not already, then what better way to become familiar than through a work that places their vision within a framework we already understand?" 

Ben Rothke, The Jewish Link

"In chapter after chapter, the authors do a splendid job of showing how American history and culture [are] so intertwined with the Hebrew Bible... Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land provides the reader with a unique view into American history and makes for a fascinating read." 

Fred Reiss, San Diego Jewish World

"Despite our pledge that there is 'liberty and justice for all,' we know this is not so, making Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land a much needed and marvelous resource, reminding us that at their foundations, all religions dictate moral principles by which to live." 

Alex Grobman, The Jewish Voice and Opinion

"In compiling their sourcebook, Messrs. Soloveichik, Holbreich, Silver, and Halpern seek to correct the historical record, which is precisely why their book is currently number one on Amazon’s Jewish history list. They recognized that the tradition created by the founders of this nation continue to unite its people, and, as such, the Hebrew Bible must remain part of the framework in which Americans discuss and debate the meaning of freedom and equality, concepts that determine the United States' national destiny and place in world history." 

In the Media

Book Launch With Beit Avi Chai, Jerusalem Post

The Straus Center launched Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land with a sold-out presentation from editor Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik at Beit Avi Chai in Jerusalem.

Back to Biblical Roots, Haaretz

The Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land book launch was featured in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Bridging Two Worlds, The Jewish Standard

Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land editor Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern sat down with The Jewish Standard to discuss the book and how it lives up to 's motto of Torah Umadda.

Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land on 929 

An excerpt from Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land, George Washington's 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport, was featured on 929.

A Jewish Perspective on the Fourth of July, The Jewish Star

The Jewish Star spotlights some of the opening arguments and sources from Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land.

Abraham Lincoln and Ezekiel the Prophet, The Land of Israel Network

Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land editor Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern joined the Land of Israel to discuss the First Continental Congress and how it argues for the sacredness of human life.