Philistines and the Future of Zionism The redemptive scenario of Rabbi Zvi Tau That the Bible has played a central role in the history of Zionism is an indisputable fact. But how does it influence Israel’s current political reality? Is it a source of inspiration? Is it an historical testimony? Or could it be that Scripture is also scripting our very present? { By YOSEF ACHITUV 70 | Vol. 1 Spring 2008 Philistines and the Future of Zionism /// The Redemptive Scenario of Rabbi Zvi Tau HAVRUTA | 71 he Orthodox nationalism of the eternal warmongers in God’s historical Rabbi Zvi Tau, an important plan, and must be dealt with accordingly. World War II veteran and his grandson in figure in contemporary Tau’s argument is all the more fascinating their sukkah religious Zionist circles, blends because of the Jewish sources that underlie /// Margelan, Fergana allT three of these ideas. Born in 1936, Tau it. He relies on a very specific reading of Valley, Uzbekistan, USSR, 1987 was a disciple of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, biblical commentaries by Elijah, the Gaon of the predominant religious ideologue of Vilna (known as “the GRA”), the towering the Greater Land of Israel movement after 18th-century sage famed for his fierce the Six-Day War. In 1997, Rabbi Tau led a opposition to Hasidism. Tau interprets the walkout of rabbis and students from the Vilna Gaon within the spiritual framework famous Merkaz Harav Yeshiva to found a of Rav Kook, who taught that the renewal competing institute, Yeshivat Har Hamor. of Jewish sovereignty in the Holy Land The rift followed bitter disagreements constitutes one of the final stages in the regarding adherence to the teachings of attainment of Redemption. the yeshiva’s founder, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (“Rav Kook,” father of Zvi Tau’s unusual and creative Yehuda). Tau also accused Merkaz Harav of straying from the “proper” educational analysis of the Israeli- ethos, which in his eyes should consist Palestinian conflict has purely of religious studies, and not include any secular studies or professional training. generated great interest As rosh yeshiva of Har Hamor, Tau wields among some Israelis - and considerable influence in the right-wing religious nationalist camp. He teaches concern among others. that the State of Israel is itself sacred to a degree, and must be loyally served and Rabbi Tau’s reliance on the Vilna Gaon is protected. And his unusual and creative part of a growing trend in certain quarters analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict of religious Zionism. Intensive efforts has generated great interest among some are invested in careful study of the Vilna Israelis - and concern among others. Gaon’s writings - and the studies themselves Over the years, various public figures are viewed as being divinely ordained, in Israel, religious and secular alike, have providing the means to speed the coming of voiced the notion that there is no such the Messiah in an age of atchalta dege’ula (the thing as a Palestinian people. According to beginning of redemption). Unearthing clues this seductive line of thinking, Palestinian and prophecies on contemporary historical nationalism is a modern invention with events, the Vilna Gaon’s interpreters seek no real historical basis, expediently to confirm his status as the true harbinger constructed in opposition to Zionism. of Zionism. But Rabbi Tau, perhaps surprisingly, Because of his status, Rabbi Tau’s views disagrees. Just as the People of Israel have are more than mere biblical interpretation: preserved and enhanced their unique they are received by disciples and identity for millennia, he contends, so congregants as concrete political instruction have the Palestinians - for they are none that is justified by a comprehensive, other than the biblical Philistines. Such theological worldview. This view maintains acknowledgement of Palestinian antiquity, that reality is permeated by a divine however, is not intended as a compliment. presence that determines the history of The Palestinians are resident in the Land as the People of Israel. What’s more, the fate 72 | Vol. 1 Spring 2008 Philistines and the Future of Zionism /// The Redemptive Scenario of Rabbi Zvi Tau and purpose of the People of Israel bear on conclusion: the Song of the Sea is proof of the future of humanity at large. All current the Philistines’ permanently disruptive events must therefore be interpreted role in history. “The role played by the against the backdrop of the redemptive Philistines,” writes Tau, “during Israel’s processes of the People of Israel. Daily settlement in its land and the establishment headlines have a metaphysical and cosmic of its kingdom, is the same role played by significance of which people need to be the Palestinians today, the neo-Philistines, made aware, and advancing this awareness the Philistines of today.” is an integral factor in the progress toward redemption. Tau speaks of a “chosen few” Rabbi Tau’s metaphysical - of whom he is one - who serve as agents of heavenly providence via their rare ability to interpretations of scripture decipher for the rest of us the unfolding of coupled with his reading of the divine plan. the political map have led him - and others of a similar The Bad Boys of History persuasion - to conclude Tau developed his unique conception of that Israel’s wars are not the Palestinian nation in a 2001 pamphlet entitled “Nihalta BeOzcha,” a phrase from mere historical events, but the Song of the Sea in Exodus 15, which cosmic necessities. means “You guided [the Israelites] with Your strength.” The Torah makes explicit The special nature of the Philistines reference to the Philistines as early as is made evident for Tau by the genealogy Genesis 10. They are listed among the listed in Genesis 10. In verses 13 and 14, the families of Noah’s sons that later formed Hebrew text sets the Philistines apart: “And the Seventy Nations of the world. Rabbi Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Tau takes this reference as the point of Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, departure for the Philistines’ divine role in and Casluhim, out of whom came Pelishtim, the course of human history. and Caphtorim.” “Out of whom came” is a Tau’s argument is based on the Vilna unique parenthetical wording within the Gaon’s elaborate exegesis of two verses long litany of nations, and clearly indicates, of the Song of the Sea: “The people hear, according to Tau, that the Pelishtim - the they tremble; agony grips the dwellers Philistines - were not intended to be “a in Philistia. Now are the clans of Edom legal member” in the family of nations. dismayed; the tribes of Moab, trembling Indeed, he declares, they “were not meant grips them” (Exodus 15:14-15). These three to be, there is no place for them from the nations represent three different threats to outset.” He buttresses his view with an Israel: “Moab is the father of the sinfulness ancient midrash, cited by Rashi, claiming with which Israel had been marred, and that the Philistine nation was born out of Edom is the father of the most destructive illegitimate wife-swapping between the woes inflicted on Israel, and the Philistines Pathrusim and Casluhim. besieged Israel heavily, preventing them The Philistine deviation from the “normal from having any regime and government.” order” of nations is a necessary component In Rabbi Tau’s hands, the Vilna Gaon’s of Tau’s dialectical scenario. “This also has a interpretation leads to a far-reaching program,” he argues. “We have here a reality HAVRUTA | 73 Just as the People of gives the Philistines a paradoxical role. Their rebellion against Jewish sovereignty Israel have preserved and over the Land of Israel intensifies the enhanced their unique metaphysical power inherent within the Jewish People, thus enabling Israel to identity for millennia, Rabbi preserve the very sovereignty against which Tau contends, so have the the Philistines are rebelling. Explains Tau: “One must understand this Palestinians - for they are divine technique for the creation of history none other than the - how the Lord of the Universe arranges the powers and establishes the precise point of biblical Philistines. opposition and pressure, which in the end will give rise to the Kingdom of Israel in the of a people that is preoccupied only with most successful and effective manner.” abandoning order, so that when they are Rabbi Tau emphasizes that “Philistine vanquished, this same order is reaffirmed nationhood has no self-contained moral, all the more forcefully.” The divine plan historical or ideal content in and by itself.” that pulls the strings of world history thus Apart from their supporting role in the 74 | Vol. 1 Spring 2008 Philistines and the Future of Zionism /// The Redemptive Scenario of Rabbi Zvi Tau founding of a new Kingdom of Israel, the Philistines are at the height of their “they do not have ideals, nor a purpose, military success and the height of their nor a foundation.” That this is true of the strength,” and indeed today, when “the People The Hebrew Academy, the Luxor Hotel Palestinians in our own time is crystal-clear of Israel return to their land, [and] the State /// Las Vegas, Nevada, to Tau, who finds convenient analogies of Israel has been founded at the end of Days, USA, 1994 between their behavior and that of their there are Philistines too.” “Baruch hashem Philistine forebearers. In the Bible, the sheyeshnam,” he writes; God be praised that Philistines gloated over the plight of the they exist, for if they are here “it is a sign that blinded Samson, betrayed by Delilah: “As the divine mechanism of history is working their spirits rose, they said, ‘Call Samson perfectly, and that God has not abandoned here and let him dance for us.’ Samson was us.” To which he adds, with no apparent irony: fetched from the prison, and he danced “Personally, I have nothing against them.” for them” (Judges 16:25).