A moment of silence preferable to prayer; the undesirable method of promoting a moment of silence; tapping into children’s natural faith in G-d
By the Grace of G-d
2nd of Tammuz, 5743
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dr. . . .
New Haven, Conn.
Greeting and Blessing:
I received your letter with the enclosure, in connection with my efforts to promulgate the introduction of a moment of silence in the public schools.
I emphasize “moment of silence,” as distinguished from a non-denominational prayer and the like, because in the former case, there is no interference by teachers or anyone.
As for the question of using persuasion, surely you know that much has been said and written on the subject and I do not know what more can be done in the line of persuasion. If anyone is not persuaded, it is not for lack of persuasion, but rather having closed one’s mind to what is basically a matter of elementary justice and human right. The results of ignoring the need to be aware of a “Seeing Eye and a Hearing Ear” are all too evident in the statistics of juvenile delinquency and crime.
On the other hand, overdoing the amount of persuasion by using also debatable arguments could be counterproductive, inasmuch as the strength of a chain is limited to its weakest link and those who would like to find fault with the arguments in favor of a silent prayer, would grasp at the weakest arguments to becloud and confuse the issue.
Perhaps you have heard that during the well known Beilis Case, the defense brought in a letter and affidavit of a well known authority refuting the blood libel accusation. When the Chief Prosecutor was asked to respond, he replied, “What is there to say to one who should be charged with high treason for having stuck a stamp on the envelope with the emperor’s likeness up-side-down!”
As for the matter of persuasion insofar as children are concerned, it is well known that generally children have inborn awe and respect for authority and no sophisticated reasons have to be given to them about the existence of G-d and His watchfulness, etc. On the contrary, they would only be confused if one would attempt to use any such persuasive arguments with them. It is also well known that some of our great luminaries wished and prayed that they would have the simple faith of a child in HaShem. Of course, when there is a deliberate and conscious effort to keep G-d out of the public school, it is bound to undermine this natural faith in children, the fear of G-d, which is the beginning of all wisdom and the first prerequisite of education of the young
With blessing,
P.S. What is written above is in no way a contradiction to continuing your efforts at persuasion with those whom you meet and who are not as yet convinced of the vital importance of silent prayer in the public school.
