Radical Yeshiva's 'Elkana Method' Aims for Religious State Control
The "Bnei David" pre-military academy in Eli, established in 1988, is facing recent criticism from politicians. Founded by Rabbi Eli Sadan and Rabbi Yigal Levinstein, the institution aims to prepare religious Zionist youth for IDF service. However, the curriculum, particularly teachings by its founders and instructors, presents a radical interpretation of religious Zionism, diverging significantly from mainstream views.
Instructors at Bnei David adhere to an extreme strain of religious Zionism, viewing the establishment of Israel as a divine step towards messianic redemption. They believe secular Israelis, who built the state, are merely a temporary tool of divine providence, paving the way for a future led by religious scholars. This ideology manifests in a stark internal division, categorizing religious-messianic individuals as "human seed" and secular Israelis as "animal seed," whose historical role is deemed complete.
This theological-political program, termed the "Elkana Method," outlines a four-stage plan: training a messianic vanguard, infiltrating key state institutions like the IDF, Shin Bet, Mossad, and media, creating a public and political majority, and finally, transitioning to a Halachic state where Torah is the law. Proponents openly advocate for using "connections" or "protections" to advance individuals aligned with their values, arguing that religious morality supersedes professional qualifications.
According to Rabbi Sadan, this plan is already in motion, with thousands of academy graduates reportedly holding influential positions across the military, intelligence agencies, and public sector. Bnei David has become a model for similar institutions, such as the "Keshet Yehuda" academy, which has also produced high-ranking officials, including the current head of the Shin Bet. The cumulative impact of these academies over four decades is evident in the significant number of their alumni now occupying senior roles in Israel's state institutions.
