The first part of the Torah read by Jews after the election that will return President Donald Trump to the White House was Lech Lechawhere our ancestor Abraham embarked on a journey to a then unknown destination. Along the way, he faced 10 trials that helped define the values ​​that have guided the Jewish people ever since.

Like Abraham, we now face a journey to an unknown destination. I see 10 trials ahead for us, as Americans and as Jews.

1. The ‘Place where I will show you the test

This quote from Lech Lecha speaks to the challenge of living with an uncertain future. No matter who we voted for, we must recognize and support those in our communities who are disappointed by the outcome and fearful of what is to come. Can we work with people we disagree with to shape the future we want in our synagogues, schools, and neighborhoods?

2. The ‘Elected Elected‘ test

This is based on a famous passage in the Talmud, where opposing opinions – these and those – elected elected — are declared legitimate. This is a central value of Judaism: that we can disagree without vilifying one another. In an electorate divided almost exactly in half, how can we better understand the views of those who voted differently?

3. The Niemöller test

Martin Neimoller was a German Lutheran pastor who opposed the Nazis. He is the author of the famous poem which begins: “First they came for the socialists and I did not speak because I am not a socialist” and ends with: “Then they came for me , and there was no one left to speak out. In my opinion.”

If President-elect Trump’s rhetoric becomes reality and he unjustly attacks innocent people – people other than Jews – we must speak out.

4. The LGBTQ+ Ally test

Our tradition teaches that every human being is created b’tzelem elohimin the image of God. This includes LGBTQ+ people, and Jews must stand up to protect their rights and those of other marginalized people wherever they are threatened.

5. The “Because we were strangers” test

It is repeated 36 times in the Torah that we must treat the stranger with compassion because we ourselves were strangers in the land of Egypt – in Hebrew, ki gerim hayitem.

This ordeal demands that we pay attention to the most vulnerable people in our society, not out of fear of what might happen to us, but out of empathy based on our historical experience. This test applies even if we too feel more vulnerable in a time of growing anti-Semitism.

6. The “There Will Be No Needy” Test

This comes from the Book of Deuteronomy, and the passage goes on to say that if there are any needy among you, “do not harden your heart or close your hand against parents in need, but rather open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient for the need. »

The election results made clear that millions of Americans are struggling economically in an era of inflation. We must resolve to help those in our own communities facing food and housing insecurity.

7. The test of Hagar and Ishmael

This one is inspired by Rabbi Maimonides’ medieval version of the 10 trials of Abraham. Living under Muslim rule in Córdoba, Maimonides was not only immersed in Arab culture and thought, but also inspired by it. His list included the test of Abraham who was commanded by God to send his wife Hagar and his son Ishmael into the wilderness.

We live in precarious times, with Israel still at war more than 400 days after the October 7 terrorist attacks. Whether one administration or another is better for Israel is a matter of debate, but if the United States gives full support to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist coalition, the impact on Palestinian civilians could be devastating.

The test of Hagar and Ishmael asks us to have compassion for Palestinian women and children, even in times of war.

8. The truth test

There is a famous saying, often attributed to Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, that if you tell a big enough lie and keep repeating it, people will eventually believe it. We live in a time where it is exhausting to debunk all the political lies, especially in the echo chambers of social media. But when lies dehumanize our neighbors, we need to speak out.

The word emits Truth is a key attribute of God mentioned throughout our liturgy, one that we are asked to respect in our personal and political lives.

9.The example test

From Moses through the Talmud to today, there is an idea in Judaism that our leaders should embody the highest qualities to which we aspire as human beings – in their public lives, but also in their personal life. The test for us is to choose which examples to follow and be our own examples of what is good and right.

10.The Raise Your Voice test

When Abraham saw that God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he defied God in hopes of sparing their citizens. This is when Abraham became our first prophet. We have elected officials at all levels of government who need to hear our voice when we disagree with their policies and actions.

These 10 tests are certainly not the only ones, nor the only way to think about them. We will be tested individually and collectively, as Jews and Americans, in the months and years to come.

May we be spared from the worst trials that we fear. And may we have the courage to succeed in the trials we face.