JUDAISMJUDAISM
and ZIONISMand ZIONISM
Marek ČejkaMarek Čejka
ZIONISMZIONISM
 Zionism is modern Jewish nationalism which constituded
in second half of 19. century.
 It is political not theological term
 Main thinkers: Moses Hess (1812–1875), Leo Pinsker
(1821–1891), Theodor Herzl (1860 – 1904) most of them
were non-religious Jews, leftists
 Zionism is a practical thing – to protect Jews against
antisemitism
 Anyone could be Zionist, theoretically even Arab or
Muslim
 Christian Zionism
OPPOSITION AGAINST ZIONISMOPPOSITION AGAINST ZIONISM
 Zionist secularism was considered to be a heretic and
dangerous by many religious (especially Haredi) Jews
 Untill Holocaust (Shoah) was Zionism refused by
majority of the religious Jews
 Their interpretation of holy texts obliged them not to end
Jewish diaspora (galut) prematurely and wait patiently
for the coming of the Messiah – renewal of the Jewish
Kingdom depends on will of the God
 That is why their refused to re-gain the Biblical Land of
Israel by force
 Nationalist ardency, arming, fight with Arabs for soil
were in their eyes rebbelion against God s will
Rabbi Yosef Samuel Bloch
(1850–1923)
„Zionism is false messianism
in which God, Torah and its
commandments
Were substituted by false idols of
nationalism and socialism“
RELIGIOUS ZIONISMRELIGIOUS ZIONISM
 PoliticalPolitical--theological stream which crystallizedtheological stream which crystallized
within some parts of Jewish Community f of thewithin some parts of Jewish Community f of the
20th century20th century
 RELIGIOUS ZIONISM (RZ) tried to connectRELIGIOUS ZIONISM (RZ) tried to connect
secular thoughts of Zionism with orthodoxsecular thoughts of Zionism with orthodox
Judaism.Judaism.
 Hence Jewish religion was combined withHence Jewish religion was combined with
political ideology (similarly like in some streamspolitical ideology (similarly like in some streams
of Christianity or Islam in 20. century)of Christianity or Islam in 20. century)
 Founder of RZ: rabbiFounder of RZ: rabbi Jicchak Avraham Kook..
Yitzhak Avraham Kook (1864Yitzhak Avraham Kook (1864 –– 1935)1935)
 Kook interpreted himself reKook interpreted himself re--settlement ofsettlement of
Biblical territory by Zionists and someBiblical territory by Zionists and some
other political events of his time (e.g.other political events of his time (e.g.
Balfour DeclarationBalfour Declaration -- 1917) as proof of1917) as proof of
GodGod s wills will
 He influenced even some Haredi JewsHe influenced even some Haredi Jews
 YeshivaYeshiva Merkaz HaMerkaz Ha--RavRav
 KookKook s thought was developed by his sons thought was developed by his son
Zvi Jehuda KookZvi Jehuda Kook
Zvi Yehuda Kook (1891Zvi Yehuda Kook (1891––1981)1981)
 Kook jr. Complemented his fatherKook jr. Complemented his father ss
thoughts by another transcendentalthoughts by another transcendental
interpretations of political eventsinterpretations of political events
 Especially to Six day War (1967), whereEspecially to Six day War (1967), where
Israel annexed vast territories, which KookIsrael annexed vast territories, which Kook
jr. Considered to be another part ofjr. Considered to be another part of
ancient Jewish homeland.ancient Jewish homeland.
 Kook jr. is a spiritual father of religiousKook jr. is a spiritual father of religious
Jewish settlers in Palestine (Judea andJewish settlers in Palestine (Judea and
Samaria) and their movementSamaria) and their movement GushGush
EmunimEmunim (Bloc of faithful)(Bloc of faithful)
„The Great Israel“„The Great Israel“
After 1945After 1945
 Many nonMany non-- or antior anti-- Zionist Jews were killedZionist Jews were killed
during Holocaustduring Holocaust
 Those who survived began to consider theThose who survived began to consider the
Holocaust to be GodHolocaust to be God s punishment fors punishment for
Zionism.Zionism.
 After Holocaust many Jews lost their faithAfter Holocaust many Jews lost their faith
 But some of Haredi Jews become moreBut some of Haredi Jews become more
pragmatic, some even joined Religiouspragmatic, some even joined Religious
Zionists,Zionists,
HAREDI PRAGMATICISMHAREDI PRAGMATICISM
 Most of the contemporary Israeli haredim do notMost of the contemporary Israeli haredim do not
consider themselves to be a Zionistsconsider themselves to be a Zionists –– e.g. theye.g. they
refuse to serve in Israeli Armyrefuse to serve in Israeli Army
 In fact, most of the Israeli Haredim are exploitingIn fact, most of the Israeli Haredim are exploiting
ZionismZionism
 They participate in Israeli politics, they influenceThey participate in Israeli politics, they influence
politics, they accept state support etc.politics, they accept state support etc.
 They want israel to be more theocraticThey want israel to be more theocratic –– conflictconflict
with secular majoritywith secular majority -- tension in societytension in society
Neturei KartaNeturei Karta
 Vigorously Anti-Zionist since 1938
 Refuse any compromise with Zionists
 Refuse legitimacy of Israel
 Few thousands of Haredi Jews in Israel,
Great Britain and USA
 http://www.nkusa.org/
rabbi Amram Blau (1890–1978)
rabbi Joel Teitelbaum of Satmar
(1887–1979)
rabbi Moshe Hirsch (1930)rabbi Moshe Hirsch (1930)
The International Conference to Review
the Global Vision of the Holocaust,,
TeheranTeheran 2006