As an example of how liberalism overpowers logic, I was having dinner with Jewish friends when they went into a tirade about how Americans institutionalized slavery, presenting it as an exclusively American sin. I asked them about Jews being slaves in Egypt, suggesting that slavery has existed about as long as humans have. They left in a huff and ended our relationship. Sad.
Long article, but very good, written by a New York City rabbi in 1861
http://www.jewish-history.com/civilwar/raphall.html
The Bible View of Slavery
By: Rabbi Dr. M.J. Raphall
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
New York City
1861
The subject of my investigation falls into three parts:—
First, How far back can we trace the existence of slavery?
Secondly, Is slaveholding condemned as a sin in sacred Scripture?
Thirdly, What was the condition of the slave in Biblical times, and among the Hebrews; and saying with our Father Jacob, “for Thy help, I hope, O L-rd!”
“This, indeed, is the great distinction which the Bible view of slavery derives from its divine source. The slave is a person in whom the dignity of human nature is to be respected; he has rights. Whereas, the heathen view of slavery which prevailed at Rome, and which, I am sorry to say, is adopted in the South, reduces the slave to a thing, and a thing can have no rights. The result to which the Bible view of slavery leads us, is—1st. That slavery has existed since the earliest time; 2d. That slaveholding is no sin, and that slave property is expressly placed under the protection of the Ten Commandments; 3d. That the slave is a person, and has rights not conflicting with the lawful exercise of the rights of his owner. If our Northern fellow-citizens, content with following the word of G-d, would not insist on being “righteous overmuch,” or denouncing “sin” which the Bible knows not, but which is plainly taught by the precepts of men—they would entertain more equity and less ill feeling towards their Southern brethren. And if our Southern fellow-citizens would adopt the Bible view of slavery, and discard the heathen slave code, which permits a few bad men to indulge in an abuse of power that throws a stigma and disgrace on the whole body of slaveholders—if both North and South would do what is right, then “G-d would see their works and that they turned from the evil of their ways;” and in their case, as in that of the people of Nineveh, would mercifully avert the impending evil, for with Him alone is the power to do so. Therefore let us pray.”