This week is the 220th ratification anniversary of the American Constitution creating the Republic that is the longest lasting free government in history. America saved Europe from tyranny three times in the twentieth century, and today it is the only solid bastion of freedom against totalitarian Islam. What is not generally known, however, is that the American Constitution was rooted in ethical and political principles whose source is none other than the Torah, the Five Books of Moses. Protestant social revolutionary reformers, especially the Puritans of New England, saw in the Torah models for modern government. Strange as it may seem, contemporary Israel, reputedly a democracy, does not have a constitution.
Although Israel is democratic, from a sociological perspective, it is not democratic from a political perspective. One reason is this: Since Israelis are compelled to vote for party lists, members of the Knesset are not individually accountable to the people. This is contrary to the Torah. Moreover, since no party has ever won a majority of the votes in an election, a coalition of rival party leaders is necessary to form a government. The result is multiparty cabinet government or a Plural Executive, which is also contrary to the Torah! No wonder Israel’s government is dysfunctional, as may be seen in my book The Myth of Israeli Democracy: Toward a Truly Jewish Israel.
Since that book reveals startling facts that America’s strategic interests in the Middle East depend very much on Israel, the welfare of both countries would be promoted if Israel’s political system resembled that of the United States. This would make Israel more consistent with the Torah, hence more Jewish! What irony!
It thus behooves both Israelis and Americans to examine the Jewish roots of the American Constitution. For a more in depth perspective and historical background click here to read more.
