Shabbat Shalom, And A Painful Parallel
This week's Torah portion recounts the story of dangerous populist.
As the day of decision approaches, will Prime Minister Netanyahu recognize the legitimacy of his successor?
Dear Reader,
As so often happens, the weekly Torah portion seems particularly relevant to current events.
In this case, we read this Shabbat the tragic story of Korach, the relative of Moses and Aaron who seeks to oust and replace them as leaders of the Jewish people under the guise of democracy.
In launching his rebellion, Korach publicly addresses Moses and Aaron and asserts that “the whole community is holy, every one of them … so why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (Numbers 16:3)
As the late British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks notes, Korach may be history’s first populist, preaching “the politics of anger … of disappointment, resentment and fear,” all too familiar among 21st century leaders. He sowed discontent among the people, proclaiming that he alone speaks for them, and falsely charged Moses with nepotism.
It is deeply troubling that we have been confronted of late by national leaders, here and in Israel, who, having lost democratic elections, rejected the voice of the people. Both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have insisted, without evidence, that the elections that brought them down were fraudulent, and that their successors are illegitimate and a threat to the national future.
It is such talk, unfortunately, that threatens a nation’s future.
Korach’s end was dramatic, sudden and final. God caused him and his followers to be swallowed up by the earth.
Trump, and soon Netanyahu, will continue to deride their opponents, though removed from their bully pulpits. Sadly, vital efforts to unify a society become that much more difficult when former heads of state stir the pot of discontent.
What’s tragic in Netanyahu’s case is that he is a brilliant, gifted and accomplished leader whose political career was undone -- not by his rivals from the left, right and center -- but by himself. Even those among the coalition set to replace him who fully agree with his agenda feel betrayed by his long history of false promises and by his placing personal interests -- namely, at this point, staying out of jail -- above those of the nation he has led these last 12 years.
Trustworthiness is not his strong suit. I was surprised by the number, though not the tenor, of the calls and emails I received in response to my piece yesterday about Netanyahu’s dismissive attitude toward Jewish media and much of American Jewry.
I heard from several rabbis and communal leaders who offered personal examples of disturbing meetings with Netanyahu. And then there was the prominent journalist who recounted in an e-mail a memorable encounter he had in Jerusalem in 1991 with then-deputy foreign minister Netanyahu.
It took place at the time of the Bush-Baker sponsored peace talks, and the Shamir government was balking at attending a scheduled bilateral session with the Palestinians in Washington.
“He told me how insensitive it was of the Americans to ask Israel to join those talks during the important holiday of Chanukah,” related the journalist, a yeshiva student in his youth.
That’s when the journalist suggested Netanyau save that excuse for those unfamiliar with the holiday’s relatively minor status.
Netanyahu is no Korach. But as long as he uses his powerful influence to delegitimize the new government, his legacy as the Jewish state’s longest-serving leader will be tarnished.
Shabbat shalom.