Torah For Today! This week: Having a second vote on Brexit…
Rabbi Ariel Abel takes a topical issue and delves into Jewish literature to find a halachic response
Rabbi Ariel Abel is based in Liverpool
Rumours about the possibility of a second Brexit vote ebb and flow. But should the people have been given a say in such a big decision affecting the nation and its future? What does the Torah say about this?
In the Bible, people have had a great say in their leaders’ choices: Moses was petitioned by the daughters of Jethro for an inheritance and also by the mourners, who were unable to practise the Passover and these popular petitions created new laws.
In a later episode, Moses sent out spies to the land even though it was securely promised by God himself, to reassure the people and make sure that the future expedition received democratic approval through their elected princes.
Even King Saul’s son, Jonathan, condemned to death by his father, was reprieved because the people insisted on it.
However, in the case of the Brexit campaign, one may claim the electorate was bamboozled and led astray by misinformation, perhaps on both sides, regarding the true cost of leaving and the benefits to be had.
Therefore, the matter of mekach ta-ut could apply here. If a person enters into a contract or other legal process based on information, there is a strong argument to correct the data informing the parties and vote again.
What is the remedy for this seemingly intractable situation? Perhaps a vote to ask the people whether they want a second vote.
Such a process is costly, but not wasteful. The next step would be to allow economists and not politicians to run the campaign.
Just as courts require experts before passing judgement, so the electorate need economists to inform them of the risks they are taking by voting one way or the other.
If this was a pension scheme, the FCA would have regulated it. Who was regulating the Brexit vote campaign?
- Rabbi Abel serves Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation and is padre to HM Armed Forces
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
