What is Israel’s national covenant?
To the Editor:
In his compelling article, my friend Richard Hidary persuasively argues for the intrinsic link between chosenness and covenant. Israel’s status as a chosen nation, he contends, is conditional upon “the work it is here to do.” But what, precisely, is that work? Hidary turns to Exodus 19:5–6: “Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the earth is Mine, but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In essence, Israel’s continued national existence is predicated on fulfilling God’s mission — a claim Hidary extends to the modern State of Israel.
It is curious, then, that he frames Israel’s current challenge as balancing its identity as both a Jewish state and a liberal democracy. Who determined that democracy is part of the covenant? Where, in the prophetic tradition, is Israel charged with upholding democratic principles? To be clear, I strongly support democracy. However, it must be acknowledged that democracy — especially one that extends fully to Israel’s Gentile citizens — is not a covenantal requirement.