At Israel's biggest Bible study gathering, thousands turn to Tanakh for answers on politics

Israel's Gush Etzion community of Alon Shvut hosted "Yemei Iyun B'Tanakh," the Bible Study Days, drawing thousands of participants for four days of in-depth biblical exploration. Sponsored by Herzog College, the event, initially a professional development program for teachers, has evolved into a major public gathering.

This year's event included 160 lectures delivered in multiple languages, with a notable focus on "Politics and Elections in Tanakh." This English-language track, curated by Rabbi Reuven Spolter, featured 20 lectures addressing topics such as conflict resolution, Jewish redemption, the intersection of politics and religion, and the nature of leadership in a Jewish and democratic state. Speakers included Prof. Mira Morgenstern, Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, Rabbi Alex Israel, Rabbi Reuven Spolter, and Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot.

The timing of the political discussions was particularly relevant, coinciding with the upcoming October 27 election in Israel. Rabbi Doron Perez, executive chairman of the Mizrachi World movement, discussed Machiavellian politics alongside Jewish ideals of political discourse. Spolter's own lecture examined why King David was not permitted to build the Temple, exploring the dichotomy between how Jews in Israel and the Diaspora perceive the importance of defending the land.

"Tanakh is not just a record of the past," Spolter stated. "It is a guide for understanding the questions we face today." The lectures were designed not to promote specific political stances but to foster engagement with biblical ideas that inform contemporary Jewish life, values, and identity, serving as a foundation for prayer and understanding the responsibilities of a Jewish state.

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Tanakh is not just a record of the past. It is a guide for understanding the questions we face today.