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Oops, I got another book on Israel. I couldn't help myself. Maybe they should make me an honorary Jew. I already have the nose.
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"The Jewish State was a major influence in the emergence of political Zionism. Herzl pointed to the part played by anti-Semitism in bringing the Jews to their existing desperate situation. 'We have honestly endeavoured', he wrote, 'to merge ourselves in the social life of surrounding communities and to preserve only the faith of our fathers. We are not permitted to do so. In vain we are loyal patriots.' It was the distress of the Jews, he believed, that bound them together. 'Thus united, we suddenly discovered our strength. Yes, we are strong enough to form a State, and, indeed, a model State. We possess all human and material resources necessary for the purpose.'
"Herzl described some of the detailed work needed to set up a State in Palestine. Much of the book dealt with specific details of emigration, land purchase, house-building, labour laws, the proposed nature of manual work, the commerce, industry, education, welfare, and social life of the new State. It was to be a model society, ever developing and expanding, moulded in the image of European democracy but with Jewish values as its foundation. It was to be secular, not religious; bound by laws that derived from European civil codes, guided by the European - and American - example of the separation of Church and State, looking forward to the twentieth century, not backward to the middle ages.
"The Jews would not live in a ghetto in the new State, cut off from the modern secular and scientific influences and challenges around them, but would, after so many centuries of isolation and even obscurantism, emerge into the world of modernity. The State would be a testimony to enlightenment and emancipation: it would witness the birth of the modern Jew in a Jewish land. Jews who lived in existing poor, backward societies, far from the modernity represented by Vienna or New York or London, would have the opportunity to put their dismal circumstances behind them.
"Once the Jews were 'fixed in their own land', Herzl wrote, it would no longer be possible to scatter them all over the world. 'The Diaspora cannot take place again,' he added, 'unless the civilization of the whole earth shall collapse,' and he went on to proclaim, 'Here it is, fellow Jews! Neither fable nor deception! Every man may test its reality for himself, for every man will carry over with him a portion of the Promised Land - one in his head, another in his arms, another in his acquired possessions. But we must first bring enlightenment to men's minds. The idea must make its way into the most distant, miserable holes where our people dwell. They will awaken from gloomy brooding, for into their lives will come a new significance.'
"Referring to those Jews, led by Judas Maccabeus, who had overthrown the rulers of Palestine in the pre-Roman era, Herzl wrote in his closing sentences, 'The Maccabeans will rise again. We shall live at last as free men on our own soil, and die peacefully in our own homes.'"
-- Martin Gilbert, Israel: A History (1998)
What can I say? I am partial to the pursuit of Enlightenment values over Medievalist values. Plus, when I read the Bible a few years ago, I was rather moved by the story of the Chosen People, the fall into bondage, the exodus, the building of a home, and then the Roman diaspora. Now, it is like reading the sequel. Even if there were absolutely no history behind it, this would still be a fascinating story. The fact that it is real and ongoing only makes it more so. And it does not get more dramatic than in our present circumstances and conflicts.
xXx
Oops, I got another book on Israel. I couldn't help myself. Maybe they should make me an honorary Jew. I already have the nose.
___ ___ ___
"The Jewish State was a major influence in the emergence of political Zionism. Herzl pointed to the part played by anti-Semitism in bringing the Jews to their existing desperate situation. 'We have honestly endeavoured', he wrote, 'to merge ourselves in the social life of surrounding communities and to preserve only the faith of our fathers. We are not permitted to do so. In vain we are loyal patriots.' It was the distress of the Jews, he believed, that bound them together. 'Thus united, we suddenly discovered our strength. Yes, we are strong enough to form a State, and, indeed, a model State. We possess all human and material resources necessary for the purpose.'
"Herzl described some of the detailed work needed to set up a State in Palestine. Much of the book dealt with specific details of emigration, land purchase, house-building, labour laws, the proposed nature of manual work, the commerce, industry, education, welfare, and social life of the new State. It was to be a model society, ever developing and expanding, moulded in the image of European democracy but with Jewish values as its foundation. It was to be secular, not religious; bound by laws that derived from European civil codes, guided by the European - and American - example of the separation of Church and State, looking forward to the twentieth century, not backward to the middle ages.
"The Jews would not live in a ghetto in the new State, cut off from the modern secular and scientific influences and challenges around them, but would, after so many centuries of isolation and even obscurantism, emerge into the world of modernity. The State would be a testimony to enlightenment and emancipation: it would witness the birth of the modern Jew in a Jewish land. Jews who lived in existing poor, backward societies, far from the modernity represented by Vienna or New York or London, would have the opportunity to put their dismal circumstances behind them.
"Once the Jews were 'fixed in their own land', Herzl wrote, it would no longer be possible to scatter them all over the world. 'The Diaspora cannot take place again,' he added, 'unless the civilization of the whole earth shall collapse,' and he went on to proclaim, 'Here it is, fellow Jews! Neither fable nor deception! Every man may test its reality for himself, for every man will carry over with him a portion of the Promised Land - one in his head, another in his arms, another in his acquired possessions. But we must first bring enlightenment to men's minds. The idea must make its way into the most distant, miserable holes where our people dwell. They will awaken from gloomy brooding, for into their lives will come a new significance.'
"Referring to those Jews, led by Judas Maccabeus, who had overthrown the rulers of Palestine in the pre-Roman era, Herzl wrote in his closing sentences, 'The Maccabeans will rise again. We shall live at last as free men on our own soil, and die peacefully in our own homes.'"
-- Martin Gilbert, Israel: A History (1998)
What can I say? I am partial to the pursuit of Enlightenment values over Medievalist values. Plus, when I read the Bible a few years ago, I was rather moved by the story of the Chosen People, the fall into bondage, the exodus, the building of a home, and then the Roman diaspora. Now, it is like reading the sequel. Even if there were absolutely no history behind it, this would still be a fascinating story. The fact that it is real and ongoing only makes it more so. And it does not get more dramatic than in our present circumstances and conflicts.
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no subject
Date: 2006-10-05 03:33 am (UTC)From:Theologically and socio-politically, I know you're not really prepared to discuss a lot of Jewish history though I find it nice that you attempt the topic here and even offer a little slice of the matters at hand in your Exodus reference.
As I've hinted at before, it is interesting that this (often secular) Zionist impulse to gather the Jewish people has brought about a rising of anti-Enlightenment thinkers who battle for control of that very Jewish state. I cannot take credit for the sentiment and am not the first to say it, but in a way the Diaspora made the Jewish people more special and gave them a true identity. Sociologically, Jewish humor developed as a response to their low condition. Existentially speaking, what it meant to be a Jew was to be waiting for a return. And I'm not sure Israel has helped further that Jewish cause per se.
I suppose it relates to the Christian ideas about the Kingdom of God. Where is it? Inside us? Political? On Earth? In Heaven? What was Jesus talking about? Some Jews wait for a military Messiah. Others think it is more metaphor for renewal and change within. I dunno. These theological/philosophical/political issues I think take us down a road to shattered hopes in some ways. Frankly, God is not on earth or, well, it wouldn't be earth. Or, at least not God in the way we tend to think of it...God being everywhere and all.
I guess what I'm saying is that I think the problem with the Jewish state is that Zionism failed from the beginning in a way. You can't make up for the past. (A theme somewhat, since another of your recent entries I think dealt with that a bit...American over-reaction to threats). What's done is done and there is a price to be paid, I suppose. But you can't erase mistakes and wrongdoings. That leaves Israel in a strange position of then existing mainly to fulfill a mission which is largely theological/philosophical. And it has neither contributed to Godly pursuits nor met secular goals for Jews in a meaningful way. Of course, you ask Jews who return and I'm sure it means a lot to them. But it is that weird intersection of Jews as a race, nation, religion, etc..
From that view, it is easy to see why we are such good friends, America and Israel. Which begs the question of whether the US has the same existential problem of failures and aimless wanderings. Good topic though...if only more people would dig a little deeper and try to think about these things.
Note to self though feel free to comment: compare Zionism with failed socialist movements in the US at the same time...movements often brought on by Jewish radicals. Food for thought.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-05 04:20 am (UTC)From:But we strive, and it is left to us to appreciate what we do achieve. I don't think suffering is something to maintain for the sake of whatever specialness it is felt to confer. I believe even Jews have a right to enjoy some of the things you take for granted - your own home and the freedom to pursue your own happiness. I think that's special enough.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-05 04:18 pm (UTC)From:On the second point, however, I'm more cautious. Not that I agree with monks who whip themselves as punishment to feel the same suffering of Jesus. But I get the point. You can push it too far, of course. I don't believe humanity *deserves* suffering or that we're sinful by nature doomed to suffer forever. Suffering is more in the eye of the beholder. It is what makes us human, I think. Getting by with finding happiness. I think that is what disturbs many about religious fundamentalism in general, but Israel in particular here, is that Jewish existence for a thousand years was shaped by factors which we're not really aware of as much now that there is a homeland. The phrase as Passover "next year in Jerusalem" takes on odd significane post-Zionism.
It's a little Jurassic Park-ish where we've gone and done something without real regard for the impact. This idea of a religiously-based state whether Israel or Christian or Muslim has the very real problem of execution. I think the grass is too green on the other side for folks who long for a spiritually based nation. I'm personally more a fan of "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto God what is God's." LOL A different view of separation of church and state, but same result.