There can’t be any better reflection on our national politics than the story of Jonathan’s covenant with David in our Haftarah this week (1 Sam 20). The struggle for power and succession between Saul and David, and David’s promise of protection to his friend Jonathan (Saul’s son), are just two stories in a longer saga about kingship and power. We will never know how accurate the Book of Samuel is, because as they say, history is always written by the victorious. David’s public image will forever be kinder than the tortured life of his predecessor, Saul.
It has been fascinating to listen into the debates in this past week about who leadership is for. Party or country? I’m writing this on Wednesday, with only an idea of what tomorrow might bring. But my sense, from our haftarah, is that leaders must build covenants out of trust, even from love, and must sometimes experience loss and painful break ups with the past, for the sake of a different future.
This story in the Book of Samuel is also relevant as David’s covenant with Jonathan is formed at the time of the new moon. Rosh Chodesh Sivan falls on Sunday, a few days before the festival of Shavuot. As the Torah was given at Sinai on Shavuot, this is also a time for renewing our covenant. Sinai is the destination, the purpose of our freedom. Our slavey only came to end for the sake of this responsibility.
Wishing you chodesh tov, a good month and Shabbat shalom.
- Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu is Principal Rabbi of Sha’arei Tsedek and Chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors