Shavuot’s lesson for Israel: Sovereignty without purpose cannot survive - opinion

As Israel navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, marked by war and international scrutiny, the upcoming holiday of Shavuot offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the nation's unique origins. This opinion piece, published by The Jerusalem Post, posits that the Jewish people's formation as a nation preceded their territorial sovereignty, a concept that challenges conventional historical narratives and holds profound relevance for understanding modern Israel.

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The Jewish people became a nation before they possessed the land promised to them and enshrined in the law they received on Mount Sinai. Most nations in history emerged in the opposite direction.

The core argument centers on the idea that the Jewish people received their covenant, system of law, and moral framework at Mount Sinai before establishing a kingdom or possessing a capital city. This foundational emphasis on responsibility and a shared ethos, rather than geography, is presented as a key factor in the Jewish people's millennia-long survival. The piece highlights how this ancient model contrasts sharply with the expansionist empires of antiquity, which prioritized conquest and dominance.

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If the nations accused Israel of theft, Rashi explained, the Jewish response would be that the Creator of the world determines the course of nations and sovereignty.

From an Israeli perspective, this historical framing is crucial for asserting national legitimacy. By referencing Rashi's ancient insight that the Creator determines national destinies, the article preempts modern accusations of 'theft' regarding the Land of Israel. It suggests that the biblical narrative itself anticipated future disputes over legitimacy, grounding Jewish presence in a divine promise intrinsically linked to moral conduct and national responsibility. This perspective reframes sovereignty not merely as a right, but as a profound test and commitment, offering a unique lens through which to view Israel's ongoing struggle for acceptance and security.

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At Mount Sinai, the Israelites possessed no capital city, no sovereign territory, no army, and no kingdom. They stood in a desert between slavery and statehood. Yet before entering the Land of Israel, they received something else first: a covenant, a system of law, and a shared moral framework. Before there was sovereignty, there was responsibility.