Who Really Needs Whom? Trump and Huckabee
הרב שי טחןיז תמוז, תשפו02/07/2026Who Really Needs Whom? From Trump and Huckabee to Parashat Pinchas
תגיות:אנטישמיותטראמפמדינת ישראל
In the midst of recent events, a fascinating debate emerged regarding the relationship between the United States and Israel. The President of the United States declared that without America, there would be no State of Israel. In response, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee countered that without Israel, there would be no America. These contrasting statements raise a profound question: Who truly depends upon whom? More importantly, what is the Torah's perspective on this relationship?
The 70 Bulls
At the end of our parashah, Parashat Pinchas, the Torah commands that seventy bulls be offered during the festival of Sukkot. Commenting on this commandment, Rashi (Bamidbar 29:18) explains that these seventy offerings correspond to the seventy nations of the world. He further notes that these sacrifices served as an atonement and protection for the nations, shielding them from suffering and calamity.
This is a remarkable and profound statement. The nations of the world may believe that Israel depends upon them for its survival and prosperity, but the Torah presents a very different perspective. Through the service of the Beit HaMikdash, it was Israel that brought blessing, protection, and atonement to the entire world.
The Talmud (Sukkah 55b) goes even further, declaring: "Woe to the nations who lost something and do not realize what they lost! When the Beit HaMikdash stood, the altar atoned for them; now who will atone for them?" The destruction of the Temple was not merely a tragedy for the Jewish people—it was a loss for all of humanity.
The Jewish people have a unique spiritual mission: to bring blessing to the entire world. As Hashem told Avraham Avinu, "Through you shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Bereishit 12:3).
Therefore, while Israel certainly appreciates and values the friendship and support of nations that stand by her, the Torah reminds us that the nations themselves benefit immensely from their relationship with Israel. The spiritual influence of the Jewish people, their devotion to Hashem, and their role in fulfilling the divine mission of being "a light unto the nations" bring blessing and protection to the world.
The Gemara (Yevamot 63a) adds another remarkable dimension to this idea. It teaches that the entire world is blessed because of Israel; even the ships sailing upon the sea receive their sustenance and blessing through the merit of the Jewish people. Likewise, the Gemara states:
"Just as the world cannot exist without winds, so too the world cannot exist without Israel" (Ta'anit 3b).
These statements are not expressions of national pride or superiority. Rather, they define the spiritual role that Hashem assigned to the Jewish people from the very beginning of creation. Israel was chosen to serve as the channel through which divine blessing flows into the world.
Heart of the World
This concept is articulated beautifully by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi in the Kuzari. He compares the relationship between Israel and the nations to that of the heart and the rest of the human body. Just as the heart is the most vital organ, pumping life and nourishment to every limb and sustaining the entire body, so too the Jewish people function as the spiritual heart of humanity. Every organ has its own importance and unique purpose, but without the heart, the body cannot survive.
Similarly, every nation contributes to the development of civilization and has its own mission in the divine plan. Yet the spiritual vitality that sustains the world emanates from Israel. When the heart is healthy, the entire body flourishes; when the heart suffers, every limb feels the consequences. So too, the spiritual condition of Israel profoundly affects the well-being of the entire world.
Throughout history, many have observed a pattern that countries often benefited economically, intellectually, and culturally from their Jewish communities and suffered losses after expelling or persecuting them. There are striking examples, here are few:
Spain (1492)
The most famous example is Spain. During the "Golden Age" of Spanish Jewry, Jews played a central role in commerce, medicine, science, diplomacy, and finance. Following the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, Spain gradually declined. Although it initially became wealthy from New World silver, its economy weakened over time, and many historians note that the loss of a productive and educated Jewish population contributed to its long-term decline.
England (1290)
When Edward I expelled the Jews in 1290, England lost an important commercial and financial community. Jews were not readmitted until the time of Oliver Cromwell in the seventeenth century. Their return coincided with England's emergence as a major commercial power.
Portugal (1496–1497)
Portugal also expelled or forcibly converted its Jews. The country lost many merchants, physicians, navigators, and scholars. Numerous Jewish refugees settled in places such as the Netherlands and the Ottoman Empire, helping those societies flourish.
Poland
For centuries, Poland welcomed Jews and became the center of world Jewry. The Jewish community contributed significantly to trade and economic development. After the devastation of Polish Jewry during the Holocaust and the subsequent communist-era antisemitic campaigns, Poland lost a vibrant and influential segment of its society.
Germany
Before the rise of the Nazis, German Jews were disproportionately represented in medicine, law, science, banking, and academia. The persecution and murder of German Jewry during the Holocaust led to an enormous intellectual and economic loss. Many Jewish refugees emigrated to countries such as the United States and significantly contributed to American science, medicine, and culture.
Ottoman Empire
A positive example is the Ottoman Empire. After Spain expelled its Jews, Sultan Bayezid II welcomed them, reportedly remarking that Ferdinand had impoverished Spain while enriching his own empire. Sephardic Jews contributed greatly to Ottoman commerce, medicine, diplomacy, and industry.
The United States
Many have noted that the United States has been exceptionally blessed while serving as one of the greatest havens for Jewish life in history. Jews have made outsized contributions to American medicine, science, finance, law, philanthropy, and technology. From a Torah perspective, one could view America's prosperity alongside the principle stated to Avraham Avinu.
Summary:
This perspective casts the modern debate regarding Israel and the nations in an entirely different light. Political leaders may argue over whether Israel depends upon America or whether America depends upon Israel. The Torah's answer is that, on a spiritual plane, the world itself depends upon Israel. The seventy sacrifices offered on Sukkot on behalf of the seventy nations, the Gemara's declaration that the entire world is blessed through Israel, and the Kuzari's analogy of Israel as the heart of humanity all point to one fundamental truth: the Jewish people are not merely another nation among nations; they are the spiritual conduit through which divine blessing reaches the world.
This does not diminish the importance of alliances or the gratitude owed to nations that support Israel. Rather, it reminds us that beneath the political and military realities lies a deeper truth. The nations may provide Israel with material assistance, but Israel, through its covenant with Hashem and its dedication to Torah and mitzvot, provides the world with its heartbeat, its divine blessing, and its very source of sustenance.
The 70 Bulls
At the end of our parashah, Parashat Pinchas, the Torah commands that seventy bulls be offered during the festival of Sukkot. Commenting on this commandment, Rashi (Bamidbar 29:18) explains that these seventy offerings correspond to the seventy nations of the world. He further notes that these sacrifices served as an atonement and protection for the nations, shielding them from suffering and calamity.
This is a remarkable and profound statement. The nations of the world may believe that Israel depends upon them for its survival and prosperity, but the Torah presents a very different perspective. Through the service of the Beit HaMikdash, it was Israel that brought blessing, protection, and atonement to the entire world.
The Talmud (Sukkah 55b) goes even further, declaring: "Woe to the nations who lost something and do not realize what they lost! When the Beit HaMikdash stood, the altar atoned for them; now who will atone for them?" The destruction of the Temple was not merely a tragedy for the Jewish people—it was a loss for all of humanity.
The Jewish people have a unique spiritual mission: to bring blessing to the entire world. As Hashem told Avraham Avinu, "Through you shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Bereishit 12:3).
Therefore, while Israel certainly appreciates and values the friendship and support of nations that stand by her, the Torah reminds us that the nations themselves benefit immensely from their relationship with Israel. The spiritual influence of the Jewish people, their devotion to Hashem, and their role in fulfilling the divine mission of being "a light unto the nations" bring blessing and protection to the world.
The Gemara (Yevamot 63a) adds another remarkable dimension to this idea. It teaches that the entire world is blessed because of Israel; even the ships sailing upon the sea receive their sustenance and blessing through the merit of the Jewish people. Likewise, the Gemara states:
"Just as the world cannot exist without winds, so too the world cannot exist without Israel" (Ta'anit 3b).
These statements are not expressions of national pride or superiority. Rather, they define the spiritual role that Hashem assigned to the Jewish people from the very beginning of creation. Israel was chosen to serve as the channel through which divine blessing flows into the world.
Heart of the World
This concept is articulated beautifully by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi in the Kuzari. He compares the relationship between Israel and the nations to that of the heart and the rest of the human body. Just as the heart is the most vital organ, pumping life and nourishment to every limb and sustaining the entire body, so too the Jewish people function as the spiritual heart of humanity. Every organ has its own importance and unique purpose, but without the heart, the body cannot survive.
Similarly, every nation contributes to the development of civilization and has its own mission in the divine plan. Yet the spiritual vitality that sustains the world emanates from Israel. When the heart is healthy, the entire body flourishes; when the heart suffers, every limb feels the consequences. So too, the spiritual condition of Israel profoundly affects the well-being of the entire world.
Throughout history, many have observed a pattern that countries often benefited economically, intellectually, and culturally from their Jewish communities and suffered losses after expelling or persecuting them. There are striking examples, here are few:
Spain (1492)
The most famous example is Spain. During the "Golden Age" of Spanish Jewry, Jews played a central role in commerce, medicine, science, diplomacy, and finance. Following the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, Spain gradually declined. Although it initially became wealthy from New World silver, its economy weakened over time, and many historians note that the loss of a productive and educated Jewish population contributed to its long-term decline.
England (1290)
When Edward I expelled the Jews in 1290, England lost an important commercial and financial community. Jews were not readmitted until the time of Oliver Cromwell in the seventeenth century. Their return coincided with England's emergence as a major commercial power.
Portugal (1496–1497)
Portugal also expelled or forcibly converted its Jews. The country lost many merchants, physicians, navigators, and scholars. Numerous Jewish refugees settled in places such as the Netherlands and the Ottoman Empire, helping those societies flourish.
Poland
For centuries, Poland welcomed Jews and became the center of world Jewry. The Jewish community contributed significantly to trade and economic development. After the devastation of Polish Jewry during the Holocaust and the subsequent communist-era antisemitic campaigns, Poland lost a vibrant and influential segment of its society.
Germany
Before the rise of the Nazis, German Jews were disproportionately represented in medicine, law, science, banking, and academia. The persecution and murder of German Jewry during the Holocaust led to an enormous intellectual and economic loss. Many Jewish refugees emigrated to countries such as the United States and significantly contributed to American science, medicine, and culture.
Ottoman Empire
A positive example is the Ottoman Empire. After Spain expelled its Jews, Sultan Bayezid II welcomed them, reportedly remarking that Ferdinand had impoverished Spain while enriching his own empire. Sephardic Jews contributed greatly to Ottoman commerce, medicine, diplomacy, and industry.
The United States
Many have noted that the United States has been exceptionally blessed while serving as one of the greatest havens for Jewish life in history. Jews have made outsized contributions to American medicine, science, finance, law, philanthropy, and technology. From a Torah perspective, one could view America's prosperity alongside the principle stated to Avraham Avinu.
Summary:
This perspective casts the modern debate regarding Israel and the nations in an entirely different light. Political leaders may argue over whether Israel depends upon America or whether America depends upon Israel. The Torah's answer is that, on a spiritual plane, the world itself depends upon Israel. The seventy sacrifices offered on Sukkot on behalf of the seventy nations, the Gemara's declaration that the entire world is blessed through Israel, and the Kuzari's analogy of Israel as the heart of humanity all point to one fundamental truth: the Jewish people are not merely another nation among nations; they are the spiritual conduit through which divine blessing reaches the world.
This does not diminish the importance of alliances or the gratitude owed to nations that support Israel. Rather, it reminds us that beneath the political and military realities lies a deeper truth. The nations may provide Israel with material assistance, but Israel, through its covenant with Hashem and its dedication to Torah and mitzvot, provides the world with its heartbeat, its divine blessing, and its very source of sustenance.
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