Temple’s destruction stemmed from sinat chinam (baseless hatred), baseless hatred, and internal rot, including violent factionalism between the camps of Shammai and Hillel (Talmud Shabbat 17a). Priestly nepotism under Roman influence turned sacred roles into political prizes. History warns us: When leaders elevate sons over merit, justice erodes, and redemption stalls.

In contemporary Israel the pattern persists. Long-running political trials for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust highlight how entrenched power blurs lines. Coalition dynamics amplify this: Ultra-Orthodox parties secure yeshiva funding and exemptions, often prioritizing sectarian gains over national good. Recent scandals include allegations of nepotism in rabbinical appointments, where entrenched familial patterns prioritize lineage over merit, prompting High Court interventions over fixed elections and favoritism. The Chief Rabbinate, meant to embody Torah authority, faces accusations of cronyism, eroding public trust. Yesh Atid’s 2025 withdrawal from the World Zionist Organization cited corruption and political cronyism, including reported offers of senior roles tied to family interests. These are not isolated; they reflect a drift from Deuteronomy’s mandate: “You shall appoint judges and officers and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality” (Deut. 16:18-19).

Current examples underscore the urgency. The 2025 judicial reform law, which altered the Judicial Selection Committee to grant politicians........

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