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of the Vilna Gaon: Moabite spiritual enmity single-minded purpose from a spiritual leaders, acting in “Davidian” fashion,
(which expresses itself in opposition to point of view, and that is to deny the meaning leaders who forgive others for
Jewish values), Edomite physical destruc- Jewish people any right to self-determi- the sake of unity, who overcome tribal-
tion (opposition to Jewish nationality or nation and governance in this Land.” ism and eschew extremism, and instead
race), and Philistine political denialism advance “synthesis and moderation.”
(opposition to Jewish governance and In short, there is a spiritual and cosmic
sovereignty in the Land of Israel). Put dif- nature to Palestinian denialism that Here, Rabbi Perez sees the central poten-
ferently, there is antisemitism that focuses can be successfully countered only by a tial contribution of Religious Zionist Jews,
on opposition to Judaism (Torah), to the spiritual and cosmic uniting of Jews in a and of the World Mizrachi movement – in a
Jewish people, and to the Jewish state, renewed covenant of purpose. healthy balancing of religion, nationalism,
expressed at different times in history, IN THE SECOND HALF of the book (sub- and universalism; a finely-tuned package
mutating like a virus from one form of titled “Opportunity”), the author seeks which he terms “inclusive Torah values.”
hatred to another. to subsume the fissures of modern Israel He argues that this package of values is
“the fundamental rubric of Jewish des-
and to overcome Israel’s external enemies
Perez dwells at length on the ills of tiny,” and it holds the key to partnership
modern Palestinian nationalism, which by postulating a paradigm of community between religious and secular Jews, and
he views as a movement infected with the and destiny based on “Davidian politics” ultimately between Jews and non-Jews.
and fundamentals of Rav Kook’s weltan-
antagonism of ancient Philistines about Overall, the spectrum of sources that
Jewish sovereignty anywhere in the Land schauung, specifically the interlocking Rabbi Perez marshals to make his case
of Israel. In fact, these are the longest building blocks of religion, nationalism, (from the rabbanim mentioned above to
chapters in the book. He demonstrates and universalism (or ethical humanism). Greek political philosophers, historians,
how antisemitism and anti-Zionism have Each of these foundations, he explains, and Zionist leaders) is breathtaking. And
morphed into one mad malady of Jewish/ can lead to extremism and conflict. But in his passion for Jewish unity is endearing
Zionist demonization, a “biological viral proper balance and perspective, they can and inspiring.
infection” which has deeply infected Pal- complement and complete each other, and
estinian national culture and indeed some build Jewish sovereign strength. While this book is devoid of practical solu-
Western elites. tions to conflicts between religion and
Rabbi Perez quotes an insight of the state, between the batei din and the secu-
“The unusual picture that emerges is Malbim on Tehillim 122 that peace works lar courts, between Charedim and chilonim,
this: Modern Palestinian nationalism has from the inside out. “May there be peace at between chametz laws and homosexual
been less about self-determination and your walls, and serenity within your pal- rights, and between annexationists and
more about denying the right of others to aces,” meaning that peace with our ene- two-state solutionists – it stands as a man-
self-determination. It has been less about mies (at our walls) can only be achieved if ifesto, a cri de coeur, for newfound accord
their collective right to this land and more there is internal peace within Am Yisrael between all Jews in building and defend-
about rejecting any collective Jewish right. (serenity within our palaces). ing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years.
It has been about refusing any compro-
mise to share sovereign control of the The pathway to serenity in our palaces,
land in any way. It is a perplexing type of he writes, lies in a renewed sense of
oppositional nationalism – not positively covenant and agreements on mutual
promoting oneself but negatively denying responsibility to one another and for the
others.” good of society as a whole. “The idea of
the covenantal relationship in Judaism
“The Vilna Gaon sees the spiritual anteced- is so positively transformative that it is
ent of this oppositional, rejecting type seen as an ideal that the nations of the
of nationalism as reflecting the style of world will wish to emulate in aiming to
the ancient biblical Philistines. It goes build a better society, as per Yishayahu David M. Weinberg
beyond the realm of conventional politics 42: “I, the L-rd, have called you to display is a student of Rabbi Chaim Yeshayahu
and history. It lies in the spiritual realm, My righteousness, and I will take you by Hadari zt”l of Yeshivat Hakotel and Rabbi
in a millennia-old spiritual and histori- the hand and guard you, and I will make Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l of Yeshivat
cal phenomenon known as the ancient you [the Jewish people] an exemplar of a Har Etzion. He is a senior fellow at the
Philistines. It is them of whom the Gaon covenantal nation, a light to the nations.” Institute for Zionist Strategy and National
observes that lo henichu lahem shum mem- Security (Misgav) and at Israel’s Defense
shalah v’shilton, ‘They did not allow them, The hankering for “covenant” does not and Security Forum (Habithonistim).
the Jewish people, any form of governance mean coercive religion, Rabbi Perez His op-ed articles appear weekly in The
or sovereignty in the land.’” emphasizes, “because any attempt to Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom, and
coerce the fulfillment of mitzvot would are archived at davidmweinberg.com.
“Just as the Philistines committed them- cause great backlash, hatred, and even,
selves then, so too have the Palestinians G-d forbid, civil war.” Rather, covenantal Join me at the
of today created a form of nationalism understandings must be brought about by World Orthodox Israel Congress Est. 1902
orthodoxisraelcongress.org
that from its birth until today has one wise political, spiritual, and educational 120 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS ZIONISM

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