By Tal Bahar
What’s the connection between Jethro and the Prophet Shuʿayb, between the People of Israel and the Druze, and how is the Torah portion “Pinchas” still relevant today?
When I was little, my parents and teachers used to call me a “justice chaser.” With all my might, I would fight against anything that seemed unjust to me—big or small, mine or … not mine.
And it almost never ended well. I was always convinced I was right, and it always came from a good place, from a kind of primal instinct—but it wasn’t always mine to win. It wasn’t always mine to fix. It’s one thing when it is mine, and a whole other story when it’s not.
Mom and Dad used to tell me: “Don’t fight other people’s battles.” After all, as a girl with a short temper and ADHD, I already had many battles of my own.
I promise I’m not making this up just to open the article with a cool little parable. But suddenly, while writing what you’re about to read in just a moment, that same young girl who fought oceans of battles—for herself, but also for others—that justice chaser, reminded me of the State of Israel.
This tiny, young country, with its short fuse, with its many enemies, and its heightened sense of justice and empathy and goodness—because of them, or maybe thanks to them—keeps getting into wars and conflicts, even when reality doesn’t necessarily demand it. What is Tikun Olam after all, if not exactly that?
And by the way, if there were a diagnostic system for countries like there is for people, I’m pretty sure Israel would be diagnosed with ADHD.
So anyway… shall we begin?
As Israelis, Jews and Druze, we grew up side-by-side, with love, partnership and a deep sense of belonging. Though the Druze are a small minority in the State of Israel, numbering only about 150,000, their presence is profoundly felt. In Israeli society, in the workforce, in IDF service, in public positions, in culture and cuisine – everywhere, they are an inseparable part of the Israeli social fabric. Who are these remarkable people?
The Druze are a unique ethno-religious community. The Druze faith is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion, rooted in the teachings of Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad and the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, with influences from other religions and philosophies.
The Druze are also known as Bnei Ma’aruf (“People of Virtue”) and are characterized by strict religious secrecy. In fact, even among Druze themselves, many are not privy to the secrets of their own faith.
The Druze officially split from Shia Islam in the 11th century. However, I once heard from a Druze sheikh in Israel that even before that split, the Druze were never truly Muslim, but, being a minority, had to present themselves as such in order to protect themselves.
The Druze speak Arabic in a dialect unique to their community. They traditionally lived in mountainous areas, historically chosen for protection from hostile populations. Today, they primarily live in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, and they are deeply loyal to the land they inhabit.
The close bond and shared destiny between the Druze community and the Jewish people (briefly) began even before the establishment of the State of Israel. In the 1930s, during many violent uprisings and pogroms led by Arab populations in Mandatory Palestine against the Jewish Yishuv, the connection was born.
Many Druze chose neutrality, and some, despite the dangers of being a minority, stood with the Jewish community. It was a practical alliance built on solidarity, one that only grew stronger over time.
Israel’s War of Independence
In 1948, during Israel’s War of Independence, many Druze joined the ranks of the IDF. They fought alongside the nascent State of Israel and played an active role in the struggle for independence.
Then, in 1956, at the request of Druze leadership and with the agreement of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, a law was passed mandating compulsory military service for Druze men. A declaration of what would later be called a “Covenant of Blood״ declared between both nations. Since then, many brave and great Druze warriors, commanders and officers have protected the country, alongside their Jewish brothers.
One of the figures most strongly associated with the Druze faith is the Prophet Shu’ayb. According to Druze tradition, Shu’ayb is considered the father of all prophets and the messenger of God - none before or after him will surpass his greatness. Remember his name.
Now, please travel back with me several thousand years. I searched for nations from Jewish history whose alliance with the people of Israel was as unique, with characteristics similar to the blood covenant between the people of Israel and the Druze. You won’t believe what I discovered.
About 3,200 years ago, Moses fled after killing the Egyptian who struck the Hebrew slave, and he arrived in the land of Midian. Upon his arrival, he met the daughters of the city’s priest, Jethro. Jethro was the priest of Midian, and he worshiped all kinds of foreign practices in the world. It was with him that Moses found refuge, tended his flock, and of course, took his daughter, Zipporah, as his wife.
Moses and Jethro
Thus began the wondrous connection between Moses and Jethro, and between Jethro and the entire people of Israel. Jethro, bearer of many names, wise and experienced, became an important ally who advised Moses after the Exodus from Egypt and at Mount Sinai, recommending changes to the judicial system and new ways to lead the people. Jethro, it is said, after witnessing the might of G-d, praised Him and recognized Him and His chosen people above all other idols and nations.
Even in the Torah portion we just read, “Parashat Pinchas”, Jethro’s name is mentioned. And not only his name, but even one of his descendants. None other than: Pinchas. Long story short, from this portion we learn, among other things, about one man, Pinchas, who through killing managed to stop death and bring life. Through an act of violence and in the ways of war, he succeeded in bringing peace.
There is much to learn from Pinchas, lessons that go far beyond the violence and killing, behind the literal meaning. So, many times in our lives, we must choose to do what no one else around us is willing to do. Even if it’s hard. Even if it’s complicated. Even if, in those very moments, it seems awful and terrible. Many times, it is only those acts that bring growth, healing, and resolution.
Many people saw symbolism in this past Shabbat (on July 18), for the feeling is that the State of Israel is doing exactly that: doing what no one else is doing. What seems to us so obvious, yet in days like these, it’s clear that it’s not.
For many years, the people of Israel have had a unique covenant with the descendants of Jethro, the sons of Jethro, like the Midianites and the Kenites. A shared fate of this kind, reminiscent of today’s “blood covenant.”
And the craziest part of all…
Remember how I asked at the beginning of the article: what’s the connection between Jethro and the prophet Shu’ayb? Many Druze believe that the Prophet Shu’ayb, is actually Jethro!!!
Can you believe it?
It runs in the blood of both our peoples.
It’s our maktub ("it is written").
And, back to our days. After the Assad regime fell, the State of Israel established a security zone in southern Syria - a zone meant to ensure that Israel’s security would be maintained.
The change of regime—the so-called “revolution”—may have looked like a positive development in the eyes of the world, in the eyes of those who sleep soundly in their beds, continents away from the Middle East, catching up on headlines from the other side of the world.
But for the Druze, it was a seal of doom for the danger that was to come. And come it did, in the form of a massacre. So, some of the Druze living in the area the IDF were in, not only agreed to collaborate, but actively requested that the IDF remain in the region.
Always Been Persecuted
For you see, the Druze, who have always been persecuted, by both ISIS and by Jabhat al-Nusra (which, to no one’s surprise, was founded by Ahmad al-Shara, better known before his PR rebranding as… Al-Julani), were in mortal danger.
Yes, even when the Druze stayed neutral. Yes, even when they pledged loyalty and allegiance. Yes, even when on paper they were “granted” relative quiet under the previous brutal regime. They have always been a persecuted minority in Syria.
As I noted, a new leader rose in Syria - a “former” terrorist. He called for a revolution, for the end of the violent regime, through violent means. And as I wrote before, sometimes, in order to achieve peace, war is necessary. Like Pinchas. Like we’ve experienced since the establishment of the State of Israel. But something about this situation… smelled rotten. The ends don’t always justify the means. If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, looks like a duck, but wears a suit? It’s probably not a statesman of peace. It’s probably a duck in a suit.
This man, who traded his terrorist’s uniform for a suit and tie, managed to convince the world that he was about to be the surprise of the decade, the man who would bring democracy to a region torn by war for centuries. So, they all applauded when he met with leaders and presidents and citizens, when they saw photos of him and heard his speeches. And, of course, when he began speaking of a possible peace agreement with Israel.
Since then, the Druze in Syria have been attacked multiple times. A few days before the onset of the mass slaughter, a young Druze man was stopped at a makeshift roadblock set up by Bedouins. They assaulted him and left him critically injured. The incident led to violent clashes between the Druze and the Bedouin tribes starting that Saturday.
By Monday, after casualties on both sides, regime forces intervened in order to “calm tensions.” We all know how this “calming” ended: regime forces joined the Bedouins in their assault. And so, the violent clashes turned into a horrifying massacre, acts of torture and humiliation—perpetrated in part by regime forces, even if they deny it officially.
Gruesome scenes began, and as I write these words, they are still ongoing - from the Druze stronghold in Syria: images and videos of mustaches and beards being shaved off as a form of humiliation, of abuse and degradation. One might almost be confused if not for the color footage, because it looks as though these images were taken in Nazi Europe before World War II. Images and videos of blood, gunfire, terrorists in uniform laughing over sprawled bodies, brutal executions of civilians, elderly women and infants kidnapped, crammed into vehicles surrounded by keffiyeh-wearing terrorists.
One might almost be confused if we didn’t already know by heart the scenes all too well from October 7th, because they look as though they were taken on that cursed day.
A different land, a different language, different clothing, a different minority.
The same profound disappointment in humanity.
And, lo and behold, the loudest voices who accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza, those who claim their hatred of Israel is merely born of love, who insist that being anti-Zionist doesn’t mean being antisemitic - are silent.
Do the Druze not deserve protection? Are massacres, rapes, kidnappings, and torture not worthy of condemnation?
I don’t know how many of you read the international papers during those terrible days, but the reporting was minimal. Almost entirely, the focus wasn’t on the massacre or the existential threat to the Druze in Syria, it was on IDF strikes.
Believe me, I have no idea how reality can be distorted so profoundly. How one can plug one’s ears even in the face of the Druze’s desperate pleas for help and intervention from Israel and the world. Hypocrisy is alive and well. Even now, as another global minority is being butchered, the silence is deafening.
And Israel? Israel is not standing idly by. It took a few days, yes—but once the regime joined the heinous acts, Israel could no longer remain on the sidelines. Even in the midst of its own war, in the midst of political, defense, economic, and social crises, under existential threat, Israel steps up to defend yet another minority, in the territory of a foreign state, in immense distress, under real existential danger.
From political and religious leaders to ordinary citizens in Israel, everyone raised their voice:
We must not abandon our Druze brothers and sisters.
Beyond the immense pain over what is happening to the Druze in Syria, beyond the tremendous pride in the State of Israel for deciding not to remain indifferent, an overwhelming sense of emotion swept through all whose hearts still beat. Emotion at the sight of families reunited.
You have to understand: the Druze understand the Middle East. They are not bound by Western laws when it comes to family, and for them, no means is too extreme if it serves the purpose of defending their people and land. More than once, they were ready to take matters into their own hands. Many times, they did. Especially this time.
Many Druze living in Israel have family in Syria, due to the physical proximity between the countries or because they lived in the Golan Heights when it was part of Syria prior to the Six-Day War. Thousands of Druze citizens marched into Syria. They crossed the border to defend their slaughtered relatives. And after 30 years, entire families wept, embraced, reunited.
Perhaps the best way to explain the concept of a “blood covenant” is with one of the dictionary definitions: “An eternal friendship, a covenant of life and death: We made a blood pact for life and death.”
Blood Covenant
Blood covenant does not have to be between a nation and a nation, or even between one person and another. After all, we are all in a blood covenant with our bleeding land.
A blood covenant is a fascinating, painful, and deeply moving covenant. Because it is not bound by shared DNA. It is bound only by the understanding that the blood of one is worth the blood of the other. And in this case, the meaning of the term “blood covenant,” chosen to describe this unique partnership, lies in the name itself. It describes what is so special about the bond between the people of Israel and the Druze today. Such a bond, which is not religious but social, national, and military - a true partnership of fate.
Through modern eyes, this connection might seem like a mere circumstantial, geopolitical, or even survivalist alliance. But amazingly, if you open the chronicles of the Jewish people, you realize this bond is not circumstantial. This covenant of blood has been inherited, generation after generation. A pact forged between Jethro and Moses was passed down to their descendants, and to the descendants of their descendants, and to the descendants of the descendants of their descendants: the people of Israel and the Druze.
The State of Israel does not leave Jews behind. Nor Druze. That’s how it is in a family.
Israel’s greatest flaw is also its greatest strength: Tikkun Olam - repairing the world. One country that breaks conventions, fighting theoretical or physical wars, for the world, or for a tiny minority across the border, for the sake of the collective good.
To repair the world.
That is what makes Israel what it is.
That is what makes us who we are.
We step out on a mission, with countless prayers for the return of the hostages, the return of the soldiers, and for peace.
A day that will come.