The Necessity of Jewish Power

Key Findings:

This essay delves into the intricate connection between the Jewish people and the concept of power, examining historical perceptions and contemporary attitudes toward its presence and absence. It contrasts the prevailing desire for power in various civilizations with the distinctive experience of Jewish civilization, which has endured for centuries without wielding substantial power. This uniqueness has cultivated a complex relationship with power: a simultaneous yearning for it, uneasiness in its possession, and ethical dilemmas in its application.

The text underscores how power has been a recurring theme in Jewish history, often intertwining with ethics. The prophets in Jewish tradition, such as Nathan rebuking King David, exemplify the critique of power and the emphasis on moral considerations. The values and principles emerging from this tradition, like the subordination of power to morality, have played a fundamental role in shaping civilized behavior.

The founding of several organizations and movements by Jews that advocate for ethics and the restraint of power (such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which initially illustrated the Jewish influence on international law, human rights, peace, and environmental activism) have, ironically, turned their focus towards criticizing Israel — and thus, Jewish power itself.

The narrative raises the question of whether power itself is inherently corrupting or whether powerlessness can also lead to moral compromise. It contends that Israel, as a sovereign state, allows Jews to navigate these questions practically rather than theoretically. This experience enables Jews to contemplate the ethical dimensions of politics, warfare, and other aspects of statecraft, thereby contributing unique insights to the broader discourse.

The perception of Jewish power in Western societies is complex, particularly considering the contemporary identity politics truism that strength is more corrupting than powerlessness. One one hand, power can be a means of enforcing moral values, rather than just a corrupting force. On the other, it can lead people to the mistaken belief that the reverse is also true — that powerlessness tends to ennoble and absolute powerlessness is positively saintly. In fact, powerlessness can be corrupting, too, when ordinary people choose self-abasement, or cowardice, or faithlessness, or dishonesty, or silence, all for the sake of simply being left alone and alive. 

A personal account of a family's tragic Holocaust history contrasts its events with the resilience and hope fostered by the existence of a Jewish state. Israel offers Jews a platform to practice responsible statecraft and self-determination, while also serving as a testament to the endurance of the Jewish people through history.