Prime Minister's Jewish Interview: "On Shabbat I Leave Everything to Study the Haftarah"

Among the many articles published in Haredi Passover newspapers, the article by journalists Yossi Elituv and Aryeh Erlich from the 'Mishpacha' newspaper stood out. They offered their readers a very unique interview with the Prime Minister, where, surprisingly, Netanyahu did not discuss political issues but focused on Jewish topics, sharing his connection to Judaism.

As part of this, the Prime Minister chose to begin the conversation by presenting the interviewers with a biography book about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s foremost leaders. "I had the opportunity to attend a show in the US a few months ago that depicted Hamilton's character," Netanyahu said. "At the end of the show, I approached the director and asked him to add an important detail to the show. I told him that I read Hamilton was born in the Caribbean islands, and as a child, there were no organized schools there. So he studied with a Jewish woman from Spain. Among other things, she taught him to recite the Ten Commandments in Hebrew. One of Hamilton's sons later revealed that, although his father hardly ever spoke about his childhood, one thing he used to tell – as a child he memorized the Ten Commandments. Yes, that’s what he remembered since then. The Ten Commandments, the eternal Torah of the Jewish people.

"Even after Hamilton died, writings were found in which he wrote in his own handwriting that 'the story of the Jews from their ancient history to our time is completely outside the normal path of history. Therefore, one cannot help but think and logically conclude that the destiny of the Jews is unique, that it is part of a great Divine plan'."

A Light of Truth – Shines Far

Much of the conversation with Netanyahu revolved around his meetings with the Rebbe of Lubavitch. It’s no secret that the Prime Minister, who served for several years as Israel's UN representative in New York, had a special relationship with the Rebbe decades ago.

On their first meeting, Netanyahu told the interviewers: "It was during Simchat Torah of 1984, shortly after I was appointed the ambassador of Israel to the UN. One day, I was informed that a big event was going to be held with the Rebbe of Lubavitch, and of course, I requested to attend. I arrived at midnight at the famous address of the synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, and this was the first time I met the Rebbe. It was late, but inside the hall, it felt like the middle of the day. More than 5,000 Chassidim crowded into the hall, and it was amazing. I couldn't believe how many people could fit into a relatively small hall. They just stood over each other, forming pyramids several stories high."

Netanyahu continued to tell: "After I entered inside, they told me to wait for a moment and suddenly the door at the end of the hall opened, and I witnessed something like the splitting of the Red Sea, when within the immense crowd, a human path was formed. The Rebbe walked in the middle and took his place on the podium. The people next to me said: 'Go to the Rebbe'. I hesitated a little because I was afraid to disturb him, but they urged me to approach him. I approached and said to him: 'Rebbe, I came to see you.' And the Rebbe smiled and asked: 'Just to see? Not to converse?'"

In the end, Netanyahu noted that they had a conversation for about 45 minutes, with the Rebbe speaking excellent Hebrew with an Ashkenazi accent. "I felt that the Rebbe had all the time in the world for me. He talked to me about my role at the UN and about the way I should present the truth of the Jewish people to the world. In the course of the conversation he said to me: 'You are going to the house of darkness and lies, remember that even in the greatest darkness, when you light one candle of truth, it spreads a precious light that can be seen from afar’. There is no more accurate way to describe how I perceived my role at the UN."

Netanyahu’s next meeting with the Rebbe of Lubavitch took place shortly before his decision to leave the UN position and join the political system in Israel. The Rebbe was not pleased with this, and he told Netanyahu: 'You will have to contend with 119 people'. At the time," Netanyahu confessed, "the forecast the Rebbe voiced to me that I would have to contend with 119 people sounded like an exaggeration or a joke. But later on, I learned that it is a very accurate description of the role of Prime Minister of Israel."

Sets Aside Time to Study the Haftarah

Netanyahu also shared personal stories about Judaism and his love of the faith. "Every Shabbat I set aside my pursuits," Netanyahu told the interviewers candidly, "I call my son Avner and say to him: 'Let's study this week's Haftarah.' The Haftarot of the weeks of consolation are very special." (Referring to the seven consolations from the Ninth of Av to Rosh Hashanah. M.A).

Netanyahu also spoke about his father – Prof. Ben-Zion Netanyahu of blessed memory, who passed away at the age of 102. "I absorbed the faith from the home. I remember he always told me: 'When you see a watch, is it possible that there is no watchmaker behind it? Surely there is a watchmaker'."

Bibi and his father Ben Tzion of blessed memory

Finally, Netanyahu chose to speak about his historical and meaningful visit to African countries during the last summer. "The seven countries I visited are Christian nations, very connected to our heritage. During the meetings, one of the leaders asked me: 'What is your secret? What is the DNA of the Jewish people?' I replied: 'You have to understand that our people is one with ancient roots, with branches reaching the sky. Because within us there is science and innovation which are the branches reaching the sky, but it all starts from the root. This combination of the past and the future is a unique combination'."