Jerusalem – Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin’s playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests.
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Netanyahu announced the establishment of the study circle on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher.
Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups.
Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.
Last Sunday, at a ceremony in Sde Boker marking the 38th anniversary of Ben-Gurion’s death, Netanyahu recalled the first premier’s Bible study class, saying that his father-in-law used to attend.
“Ben-Gurion understood that the Book of Books is our mandate for our country, as he said in that same unforgettable statement before the Peel Commission in 1936,” Netanyahu said. “He viewed the Bible as the wondrous story of the Jewish people, the unique spiritual, cultural and historic heritage of our people, and also as one of the cornerstones of all of human culture.”
Content is provided courtesy of the Jerusalem Post
Wow. What if Mr. Obama did a Bible Study say 10 pm on saturday night on channel 7 news across the USA. The evangelicals would not know what to do!!!!
Unfortunately anyone can see how ben-gurion’s use of the bible to accomplish his political ends rings rather hollow. He picked the part of the bihle that says gd promised eretz yisroel to the yidden but left out the part where it says that the yidden promised to follow the torah.
I had hoped he would have started a mussar shmuez, in honor of his father-in-laws roots as a Novardoker talmid! A taste of madreigas haAdam would revolutionize politics.
Yes, maybe we should start teaching Tanach in yeshivas also. They can even leave out the parts that are too Zionist if they want.
From the article – “Ben-Gurion understood that the Book of Books is our mandate for our country, as he said in that same unforgettable statement before the Peel Commission in 1936,” Netanyahu said. – To Netanyahu and Ben-Gurion: Please read the aforementioned “book” and see what else it’s got to say. There are some other interesting stuff in there!
As an aside, it’s interesting to note that Bibi’s father-in-law learned in Navhardok, and in the end of his days returned to religion. Also, he considered Harav Wolbe to be the Yisroel Salanter of our Generation.
I hope he doesnt skip over the part that says that Israel was given to Bnei Yisroel
and perhaps other parts of the Bible that are politically incorrect
Well, I’m glad to see this. Something is better than nothing…true?
The PM said: “He viewed the Bible as the wondrous story of the Jewish people, the unique spiritual, cultural and historic heritage of our people, and also as one of the cornerstones of all of human culture.”
This is a rather shallow insight into G-d Almi’ty’s Word and ‘A Tree of Life’ for all those who hold onto it.’ What about ‘The Bible Codes?’ The profound insights into the soul of mankind and the area of prophecy? The creation of the world and its purpose?
I suppose The PM is doing it to garner votes. He did this at The U.N. when he quoted ‘The Lubavitcher Rebbe’ but doesn’t listen to him.
Where The PM serious about ‘The Torah’ he would start to observe it and become a truly proud Jew by wearing a ‘Kippah’ and eating Kosher food in public.
I’m impressed with the wisdom demonstrated by some of the anonymous posters here. I’m sure their negative comments will help clarify the situation.
Almost every one of the previous comments are negative. If all these pundits actually learned the Bible they would see that it is positive; the whole Tanach is positive, and the idea of Zionism is positive. Why can’t the Prime Minister’s Bible study group be considered a positive. The people who only want to look for negative points will find them, but if they read further, positive solutions are brought forth. The first step in making any positive journey, no matter what the motive, is making the first step.