Overview
The Jewish people exhibit unparalleled unity, largely thanks to the Torah and a robust system of Jewish education. This article explores how bottom-up democracy is an ancient yet still relevant approach that the Torah advocates and Israel exemplifies.
Why it Matters
October 7, 2023, exposed significant vulnerabilities in the response capability of Israel’s government and army during a crisis. Yet the crisis also showcased the extraordinary resilience and initiative of the people, highlighting a profound lesson in bottom-up democracy as outlined in the Torah.
Grassroots Response During Crisis
Despite lapses in top-down leadership, grassroots efforts by ordinary Israelis stepped in, demonstrating remarkable courage and resourcefulness. Through various citizen-led initiatives, such as collecting clothes, bedding, and purchasing military equipment, the civilian sector exemplified immense solidarity and effectiveness.
The Torah’s Lessons on Democracy
The weekly Torah portion resonates deeply with Israel’s situation today. In the portions of Korach and Behaalotcha, Moses’ differing responses to challenges to his authority provide a compelling narrative on leadership and democracy:
- Korach’s call for a contest-style democracy is met with divine disapproval, reflecting a failure in top-down leadership.
- Conversely, Moses prays for more prophets within the people, favoring a societal structure that thrives on collective responsibility and wisdom, essentially a democracy from the bottom up.
A Vision for Modern Israel
Recent events have proven the strength of Israel’s civil society. By combining traditional top-down governance with a significant emphasis on individual and community initiatives, Israel can fulfill Moses’ vision of a state where everyone has a prophetic role. This modern adaptation of “bottom-up democracy” offers a visionary approach to governance suitable for the 21st century.
Unity Through the Torah
The unifying force of the Torah and Jewish education continues to play a crucial role in the exceptional cohesion among Jewish people globally. With this foundation, Israel can pioneer a model of governance that harmonizes strong central leadership with empowered citizen participation.
Conclusion
The Israeli experience, validated by the Torah, illustrates that true democracy thrives not merely through elections but through an engaged and empowered populace. “If only all the people could be prophets,” Moses’ aspirational remark, can guide modern political governance, ensuring unity, resilience, and thriving democracy in Israel and beyond.
The writer is an educator in Efrat. His book “Transforming the World: The Jewish Impact on Modernity” was republished in memory of his wife Lucy and daughters Maia and Rina, who were tragically lost to terrorism in April 2023.
This story was first published on jpost.com.