Continuing War Diary

History, Netanyahu and the Messiah

Benjamin Netanyahu believes in history. It is his comfort zone. Maybe it’s a carryover from his dad, a professor of history in the USA.

History is many things to many people, particularly when it comes to the question of what can be learned from it. For Bibi it has become his theology. It is his guide not only to the past but, more importantly, to the future. Like an ancient oracle, it tells him what he should do.

Wiping out the native population? There are loads of examples throughout history. Not only because there was a specific command in the Hebrew Bible. But look around at major powers today. How many came into power by wiping out the original aboriginal population? It’s the way of the world. Why should Israel be any different?

So what of theology? In Bibi’s thinking, this, too, is part of history. He sees it historically. It doesn’t obligate him. It represents possibilities, choices, alternatives, but not obligation. He is only obliged to history, in making it, in taking it, in shaping it, especially if it comes out in his favor. He creates it in his own image.

Judaism? Another dimension of history, which the religious members of his coalition try to fit their leader into their own brand of spirituality. Perhaps he is the harbinger of the Messiah? Just a tool of the Lord of Salvation?

No, and no again. He does not care for the intrigues of Judaism, as played out by the members of his cabinet. He is a common narcissist, backed by his historical triumph in four elections. He can afford to be what he has indeed become, a savage sadist, the final mark of a narcissistic character, where nothing can stop him, because nothing has stopped him. He does not care a fig for the beliefs of his pathetic religious followers. If he throws them enough money, they will lie down like good dogs being tickled in the stomach.

But history has its limits. Bibi has to choose which historical examples are fitting for him. Which is most suitable to ensure his continuity as Israel’s longest-lasting prime minister and which can confirm his place as the greatest of Israel’s leaders?

But here is the rub. You can choose which historical event or figure you want to be like. Ben-Gurion, Jabotinsky, Churchill. But somewhere along the line you have to figure out not who is closest to you. Rather, you have to be your own man. Not a wannabe, not a repeat act, but someone who is genuinely original. Netanyahu is not in that category. He has made too many blunders, made too many arrogant statements that have been impossible to put into practice. He has over-reached himself and found himself isolated at the top, not only in Israel but also internationally. Like Trump, he cannot afford to be seen as a loser. He is stuck with his worn-out ego. He has made the mistake of all self-proclaimed leaders since Nimrod.

Power is not enough. Seichel daf menuven. You have to use your common sense.

What is startling, however, is the way the Messianists have brought this concept to the forefront of the current coalition. As a historian, Netanyahu must know that all claims of the coming of the messiah are false. There have been many such claims. One commentator put the number at 400.

So why does Netanyahu continue to foster the members of his coalition who believe in such naive and dangerous speculations? Is it only in order to hang on to power? Has the level of cynicism reached its peak that nothing short of the big lie is left for the supreme manipulator? Messianism has no place in politics, especially in Israeli politics. For Netanyahu to use it because he believes it will boost his chances in the elections is worse than cynicism. The sages have warned of the attempt to bring forward the coming of the Messiah (beyeit haihi aschishenu). It is up to the Lord of the Universe. Unless, of course, our longest-running ever prime minister is convinced that he can usurp the Divine for his own political agenda.

When is enough enough?

In a recent reading of the Torah (Re’eh) there are two sentences which stand out among the many from Moses’s last speech to the Children of Israel. In Deuteronomy 12: 28-29 we read:

“Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it will always go with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God. The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land… “

The Sifri adds “From here we learn that the command to settle the land of Israel is equal to all the commandments in the Torah.” The Torah Temimah adds that the juxtaposition of these sentences is sufficient for the Sifri to make such a radical claim. This is the reading that is accepted by the Ramban (although not by the Rambam).

This is reminiscent of the popular song “Dayenu” sung at the seder table. It could be read in the same radical way. There are some Jews for whom living in the land of Israel is sufficient, they don’t need the Sabbath or the Temple. Dayenu, it was sufficient for them to be taken out of Egypt, brought across the desert and given the land of Israel. They are still Jews. They will fight for the right to be in the land, even to the point of dying. No greater sacrifice is called for. Dayenu, it is sufficient.