On December 4th, 鶹 hosted Dr. Neil Rogachevsky for a lecture titled “Statesmanship: An Introduction to the Political Thought of David Ben-Gurion.” Rogachevsky, an assistant professor of humanities at the University of Florida’s Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education and former faculty member at 鶹, provided a deep dive into Ben-Gurion’s vision and relevance for contemporary challenges in Israel.
Rogachevsky argued that Ben-Gurion’s political ideas, particularly his emphasis on mamlachtiut (which he translates as statesmanship), offer valuable insights for addressing Israel’s contemporary challenges. Mamlachtiut encapsulates the principles of prioritizing the national interest above partisan or ideological divides. Ben-Gurion’s commitment to this principle allowed him to unify diverse and often conflicting factions in the formative years of the state.
One notable example was the debate surrounding the phrasing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. Facing competing demands from religious and secular leaders, Ben-Gurion chose the phrase Tzur Yisrael (“Rock of Israel”) as a compromise, which exemplified his ability to balance competing ideologies while maintaining unity. Similarly, Ben-Gurion’s opposition to a written constitution reflected his belief that codifying issues such as religion and state relations could exacerbate divisions rather than resolve them.
Rogachevsky noted a resurgence of interest in Ben-Gurion and other founding figures in Israel, paralleling similar trends in American political culture. This “founderism,” as he described it, reflects a desire to reconnect with the principles that shaped the state’s foundation. However, Rogachevsky cautioned that this renewed focus must avoid idealizing or distorting the past for political purposes. Instead, it should serve as a basis for constructive dialogue and civic education.
Rogachevsky concluded the lecture by emphasizing the importance of cultivating a new generation of civically minded leaders who can engage with the political and philosophical heritage of Israel. He highlighted the Straus Center as a crucial institution for this endeavor.
The event was co-sponsored by the Zahava and Moshael J. Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein 鶹 College Honors Program, and the Center for Israel Studies.
