The Secret of Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, is undoubtedly one of the most influential political leaders in recent history. Not just in Israel, but even in the world he is viewed by many as a modern day icon. Now, as Jews however, we have to first emphasize that Netanyahu still has a long way to go  before he becomes an authentic Jewish leader. A true Jewish leader is one who is immersed in Torah, scrupulously fulfills all the mitzvos and inspires others to fulfill the mission of the nation of Hashem. Nonetheless, Netanyahu has still done a lot to help the Jewish people, particularly at this particular time when he is leading a war against Iran together with the United States.

Netanyahu is often compared to Menachem Begin, the first right wing Israeli prime minister. Both were traditional and popular right wing leaders. Both also have been incessantly attacked by the left wing Israeli elite. At some point, after the Sabra and Shatilla massacre ,in which Israel was condemned even though they were not involved, Begin caved in and said “I can’t take it anymore.” Netanyahu has also faced incredibly intense political pressure ( i.e. this current trial that is going on against him), but he has consistently refused to back down. What is his secret?

Now, Netanyahu definitely possesses a strong sense of mission and in the words of Obama” views himself as the defender of the Jewish people”. However, there are many inspired people who eventually cave in. Maybe there is something else that we need to pick up on here. And this is the main point I want to bring out: Netanyahu is always in the middle of reading an interesting book. He may be on the way to a very important meeting with the President of the United States or any of the other important dignitaries he deals with regularly- but yet he always carves out time in his busy schedule to read. 

In Aryeh Ehrlich’s book in Hebrew ” Rega Haemes”  ( The moment of Truth) which was published in 2017 and discusses the enormous impact that the Lubavitcher Rebbe has on Israeli politics, Netanyahu revealed to the interviewer that he was in the middle of reading a biography about Alexander Hamilton ( which he later tied into the interview). Later, during the first Trump term, an Israeli reporter, Avi Blum, who accompanied Netanyahu on a trip to Washington said that during the flight Netanyahu was reading a biography about Churchill. And I recently saw an incredible picture from the beginning of the current war with Iran that  began in March. In this picture Netanyahu is speaking with Trump on the phone right after the war started. And lo and behold right next to Netanyahu there is a book- a book about World War Two called ” Allies at War.”

So Netanyahu likes to read. However, how has this helped him survive in his long contentious political career?

Well, I would like to suggest that there are at least three ways being an avid reader can help one during trying times.

1.) An Escape: Every book is an escape to another world. When immersed in a book, one can forget everything going around him. With the proper balance, this could be healthy at times-especially during highly charged periods of time. Just like the body needs time to sleep, the mind can benefit greatly from an occasional escape.

2.) Inspiration: Books have the power to be quite inspiring. Certainly if one reads a book that is relevant to his life situation. For example, when Netanyahu reads a book about the Allies during World War as he is beginning a major war against Iran, the historical precedent of a battle against the forces of evil can be greatly inspiring.

3.) New Ideas: People need to constantly fill themselves with new ideas in order to remain fresh and invigorated. A good book can provide this need and help keep a person living life with vitality as opposed to boredom. As it says in Koheles, ” Wisdom gives life to its owner”.

Recently, I read an interview with well-known right-wing conservative thinker Ben Shapiro. In the article, he said that he reads an average of three to five books a week! This is what provides him with a constant reservoir of new interesting ideas.

In our generation when many rely on Social Media for information, there is still no replacement for reading a good quality book. Studies have shown that people read much more carefully when they are reading on paper than when they are reading on a screen. With all of modern technology, there is still no replacement for reading a good book that you can hold with your hands, carry with you wherever you go and underline key phrases. A real book has a ‘soul’ to it that social media just does not provide.

So let us learn from Netanyahu, and always have a good interesting book that can accompany us through life’s journey. Of course, we should look for books that are of quality and elevation. However, I think this habit has helped Bibi a lot. And maybe it can help us as well.

Ariel