Although it is too early to write off Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's political career completely, his (temporary?) resignation is an opportunity for reflection.
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Sixteen years have passed since Ayelet Shaked recruited him for the position of Benjamin Netanyahu's chief of staff until he took office as prime minister and served for one tumultuous year. On Wednesday, he left Shaked in the arena alone.
Throughout his career, Bennett's wisdom, maturity, and broad vision increased. In one year alone, he went from being a leader of a small and sectoral niche party to becoming prime minister. Not perfect, but not bad either, especially given the difficult political circumstances of the time. A prime minister full of passion, mission, and dedication to the public.
After four elections, Israel began to function again. It was slow at times, but we have discovered that the world keeps going even after Netanyahu leaves Balfour.
On his way to premiership, Bennett undermined Habayit Hayehudi and went against his electorate, but perhaps it was inevitable. His journey also teaches us about the process that religious Zionism has been through.
Many of them engaged in petty politics and sought a leadership that put the good of the country ahead of the good of the sector. The general public wanted to turn the fervor of religious Zionism into construction in Judea and Samaria, appointments to senior positions in the IDF, and the flourishing of yeshivas and girls' schools across the country, in addition to a leading political force.
No longer a follower, but a leader. Bennett was the first religious leader to achieve this, the first to reach the most senior political position in the country.
Bennett's desire to hold on to the wheel at all costs is what eventually brought about his downfall. The train car did not stop at the speed he commanded and disengaged on the way. He remained a locomotive without wagons. A leader without a public, a prime minister who would not garner enough votes to make it into the Knesset at the next elections.
The experiment has failed, but the path Bennett paved remains open, which will help future leaders who will walk in the path of Torah and morals and march in the front and lead.
