Netanel's Epilogue

 Netanel's Epilogue

For about a year or so now, a teacher named Netanel Ellinson has been embarking on a series of Bible (Tanach) studies. The vast materials he has taught, orally and in written form, on the book of Judges have been compiled into a book. The course of the study was just about to be completed when October Seventh burst into our lives, and Netanel was drafted to serve in Gaza. Shortly after, he wrote the book's epilogue. Here is its translation for you to ponder.

"These lines are being written a few days after the termination of my four-month spell in the war in Gaza, having been mobilized with the rest of Israel in the middle of the feast of Shmini Atzeret on the 7^th of October. Nowadays, living in a Hebrew State, with its army, government, offices, etc, we may pose the question, 'What is the relevance of the book of Judges, which covers a period during which, "everyone was doing what was right in his own eyes", and when no official state institutions were in existence?'

On that very trying day, when our enemies beat us so brutally, for several hours, we returned to the era of the Judges. On the 'eighth' day, we experienced being deprived of a State. The IDF was sunk in battle fog, with no commanding leadership and the other State authorities – a total eclipse had set in.  It was as though this 'thing' called the State of Israel had been turned off. Some call this genocide 'a one-day holocaust'. Others 'a pogrom'. I do not have the faculties to determine and make a categorical comparison, but I want to point out one main difference between the above portrayals. Even in the most disadvantaged first-line positions during those early hours, there were warriors with an upright Israeli spirit who fought back with every means at their disposal. The stories of their heroism, revealed in those moments, could fill up a whole library. It seems to me, therefore, that during those accursed hours, not having State-establishments and no military we returned to the era of the Judges. It was up to each individual to rise and act in power and might.

In those instances, it was as though the Judges were resurrected. Deborah rode tanks and faced dozens of terrorists. Ehuds fought stealthily with their meager means and against all odds. Yaels drove mallets into the heads of abysmal Siseras. We had Gideons who overcame their fears and lit the night's darkness. But mainly, thousands of Samsons lifted Gaza's heavy gates, crying out: "Let my soul perish with the Philistines" for the sake of rescuing their brethren. When, for several hours, the State imploded, we didn't return to the Diaspora. We returned to the days of the Judges. Each tribe and sector of Israel revealed its unique light; some by fighting, others by rendering a helping hand and support in different and multiple ways.

Those hours also proved that when all seems well and secure, and one can (supposedly) depend completely on State institutions to take responsibility and act, when the moment of truth comes, the needs are met by the mobilization of motivated hearts that sparkle like the individual stars of the Judges era.

The book of Judges seeks to point to the shining stars that are not visible in the sun's blinding light. But when the sun sets, they shine, giving off their special lights. The stories of the Judges of Israel are not just historical accounts of aloof nobles. On the contrary. They are the stories of everyday people from all walks of life. Not being blue-blooded royalty, who could have imagined these individuals to be so heroic? But in that moment of truth, they glowed, illuminating the night's dark sky and pointing the way.

You are my beloved brothers and sisters who took your stand when there was no one else to do so. "And in those days, each man was doing what was right in his own eyes". And you…  you did what was right."