Judaism, Nationalism, And The Land Of IsraelThis book provides unique insights into the profound religious and cultural issues underlying the increasingly ideological divisions within Israeli society over the questions of territorial concessions and the future character of the state. It explores the significant distinctions between modern Zionism, a primarily secular nationalist movement modeled after the European movements of the nineteenth century, and the much older traditional Jewish nationalism, which is deeply rooted in ancient religion and culture. Dr. Sicker offers a concise overview of the 3,000-year intellectual history of Jewish nationalism, within which modern secular Zionism represents a relatively brief - although immensely important - interlude that may be entering its final stage as other more traditional religious nationalist concepts seek to take its place as the national ideology of the State of Israel. An analysis of how Jewish religious nationalism has shaped the history of the Jews, this book examines the national and territorial dimensions of classical Judaism, explains the survival of the nationalist idea despite the repeated loss of independence and the exile of the majority of the people from their homeland, and demonstrates how the nineteenth-century religious reform movement sought to counter both the growth of Zionism and the resurgence of traditional Jewish nationalism. The book concludes with a discussion of the new ideological synthesis of Judaism, nationalism, and the land of Israel and its implications for the future of the Jewish state. |
Contents
Israel and the Land | 17 |
Coping with Exile and Powerlessness | 39 |
The National Question | 57 |
Copyright | |
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Abraham Abraham bar Hiyya Abraham Geiger Accordingly achieved advocates Ahad Ha'am Alkalai ancient argued argument asserted assimilation autonomy bar Hiyya became become biblical Buber century children of Israel concept concern consequence considered continued covenant cultural Diaspora dispersion divine Dubnow earth Egypt emancipation establish exile existence faith fundamental future Halevi Harav Hebrew Herzl Hibbat Zion homeland Ibid idea ideological Israelites Jerusalem Jewish community Jewish emancipation Jewish nationalism Jews Joseph Judah Judah Halevi Judaism Kabbalah kabbalists Kook Land of Israel live Lord Maimonides matter messianic Midrash mission modern Moses movement Nahmanides nation of Israel national redemption national restoration nationalist Nonetheless Palestine perspective political position problem promise prophets Rabbi redemption and restoration regard rejected religion religious remained resurrection sacred space sages secular Shekhinah significant social socialist society spiritual talmudic teaching Temple territory thee Theodor Herzl Thou Torah traditional Jewish transgressions ultimate unique universal unto wrote Zionist