Every day we find ourselves wondering "does the government have the power to ..." make decisions about any number of our lives, from our basic rights to speech, religion, and association, regulating private property in the name of environmental policy, deciding who can live within the borders of the nation, who may not, who must go, and where they will go. We wonder, is this personal choice, local or state government decisions, or the federal government (and if so, is it a balance of powers between congress, the judiciary and the President, or is it the President with power and the other branches with opinions). Are these issues connected to Judaism? Of course! The Torah brings us examples of moving from tribe to nationhood, and along with it, the need for governing structures to create laws, establish courts, direct military power, and establish borders with principles that balance nationhood and human/individual rights and responsibilities. Rich Levine, longtime member and former CBE President, and current professor of constitutional law will give a presentation and discussion on our current affairs in US Presidential powers in the context of the Constitution and Jewish examples of the balance of power. 

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