Hebrew Law - Manhigut Yisroel (Not the Party)

Please note that all mention of Manhigut Yisroel in this blog is referring to the concept of Manhigut Yisroel and not the political party of Moshe Feiglin.

The reader might be interested in an article in Azure, a publication of ideas for the Jewish Nation, no. 13, Summer 5762/2002 called "The Jewish Roots of the Modern Republic" by Fania Oz-Salzberger. She describes "political Hebraism in the 17th century and the abandonment of biblical and post biblical sources of political thought by Enlightenment and post-Enlightenment thinkers - in particular modern liberals". She talks about John Selden , who lived in the 1600's , who was an English jurist who devoted his entire life to the study of ancient Hebrew law. She writes that it is likely that Selden never met a Jew in his lifetime.

The reason I refer you to this article is because it blew my mind. Today it is not politically correct to talk about Manhigut Yisroel, a gov't based on Torah and Mitzvoth. It sounds "too Messianic". But here is a very respectable, very academic written article that shows that in the 17th century the Bible was used as a political text. She suggests that even modern liberalism may "well have some of its strongest roots in the books of Exodus. Judges, Samuel, and Kings, in the Talmud and in Maimonides: Tangible roots though tightly coiled around the other, non Hebraic sources of Western ideas about liberty."

Perhaps, articles such as these, would help raise the consciousness of our own people that the Torah has been a source of political and economic systems of today. A government based on Torah and Mitzvoth sounds revolutionary. It sounds like an idea for religious fanatics. Perhaps an effort is required on our part to make the concept more palatable for people in politics, academics, philosophers, economists, and the like. It requires education and much research and discussion not only in the Yeshivas but among academics, philosophers, economists. The proper presentation can make the difference in selling the idea of Manhigut Yisroel. More than that, the combined input of all this brain power is required in order to work out the details (or shall we say halachos) of a true Manhigut Yisroel.

Let us not be hard on our political leaders, religious leaders or law makers. This is a revolutionary form of gov't. It is scary for people. Change must come carefully and with thought and discussion, unifying all people. Each person has what to contribute. If we can find how each person can contribute, regardless of their political or religious orientation, that is a step in the right direction. The religious need to really start thinking in terms of "Mamlechet Kohanim". This comes with deep Emunah that the Mitzvot are indeed the answer.

Keeping the Shmitta year as specified in the Torah is truly revolutionizing. It requires an upheaval in the way government is run for that year. The truly observant and believing Jew will find that even though he would like to be modest in his observance, and not bother anyone to be religious like him, or keep the Mitzvot like him, will find it impossible to do so in the Shmitta year. Because Shmitta requires everyone to participate. It is socialism for one year. The Rosh Yeshiva and the typical Yeshiva student is not involved with the day to day running of the government. They would be required to consult with people who do run the government, about how such a system could be put into place. Even if the discussion is theoretical it is a start. The act of doing, will bring about unbelievable revelations. It will bring about the necessary confidence that is required for a Mamlechet Kohanim. it will convince us and the world that the Torah is indeed Emes and the nation of Israel is "Am Chachom Venavon".

Here is a scenario. If a person knows that he is required to loan money and not receive his loan back he will say to himself, "What is the point of me working like a dog, just to give my hard earned money to someone else that needs it (like the farmer). Hey, I need a break too. I'm going to take a Sabbatical this year and work on a project of my hearts desire. I and my family won't starve since we'll get food from the farms. I'll share my money with others and I'll ask around for loans to get my idea up and running. I'll approach my colleagues and convince them to take a Sabbatical as well. We'll share our resources and come up with some innovative ideas. My wife has a break since everyone is sharing their food so she doesn't spend that much time in the kitchen (only if she enjoys it). She'll be creative and start to clean out our basement. She finds junk that others find are treasures. There will be one big flea market so that everyone can give to the others whatever they need and take what they need in return. Lots of people will take Sabbaticals. Now there will be the time to fix all those broken radios and computers and give them away to people who need them or simply junk them. In fact there will be so much stuff that it might get to be overwhelming. So we start selling it all to the non Jews as specified in the Torah. Best of all we'll finally clean out our clutter. Talk about freedom! Picture the scenario?

Please keep the dialogue going!