Peace or Piece? : The Issues with Messianic Zionism

By: Jonathan Seidel 

Stranger Danger

Religious zionism is founded on messianic yearning to rebuild the Jewish future. There is both an internal and external and matrix. The internal concentrates on the irreligious capacity and the external focuses on the relations with the Palestinians. Messianism is the everlasting hope of the religious. It is the salvation that enters to rid evil and embark on a peaceful fantasy. This dream has been ventured in various movements to justify extremist positions. 

The Zionist trend in Israel may hinge on survival for many and was the initial rationale but over time religious authorities have championed a messianic tone to it. Beginning with R Kook during the British mandate, he believed that the return to Israel was a sign of divine salvation. Many European authorities scoffed at this idea telling their members to remain in Europe believing going off to Palestine was religious suicide. They all then perished in the Holocaust. This is not to say then, this was a punishment for their lack of faith. Nobody could’ve imagined the systematic genocide that was about to take place. Yet, after the war Zionism trudged on as a sign to return. After the war, Jews were uncertain where to go, they were lost and displaced. Palestine had a thriving Jewish community and staple of historical memory. The victory of the 1948 war only spurred more immigration. The six day war was the nail in the coffin. The miracle of the six day defeat inspired so many to travel to Israel enamoured with a divine spark. They believed that Israel was invincible and the Messiah was en route. Coming in droves feeling a sense of security and spirituality. Zionism has continued since then with the mindset of divine salvation. Today many living in the settlement areas do so because of religious messianism. Justifying their actions on textual-ideological grounds. There is a strong spirit to live in the land and that is truly inspiring.

Despite this divine urge, the messianic ideology has weaned heavily in the previous years. A new phenomenon called post-Zionism has risen in the past few decades. This movement of academic scholars sought to shed light on the utopian Israeli reality. They exposed Israel's impurity lurking behind the golden mantra. Israel is not perfect and has made many mistakes. Contrary to popular belief this is not some radical left secularist doctrine but a growing philosophy amongst the religious. People are recognising the flaws and wish to combat them. An empathy for Palestinians is developing amongst average Israelis tired with the fighting and the lying. Much of the present citizenry criticism concerns the treatment of Palestinians and the government's agenda. 

External:

Similar to Shagar, my post-zionism is not paralleled to the academic agenda but does compliment it. My version of post-zionism is a post-messianic vision (though ideally it could be referred to as post-post-zionism). An acknowledgement of the issues at hand. Reality check the methods with the Palestinians is not too great. It’s greatly problematic. I personally think the conflict is extremely complex but that doesn’t mean that they are treated correctly. There are issues. We cannot just sweep them under the rug because we consider all of them enemies. We have sovereignty over many of them and they deserve to be treated fairly. They aren’t all monsters. There is much immoral political banter and corruption. To disagree with the state is not anti Semitic, it’s honest. Israel needs internal critics to ensure it remains on the correct path. This is not a UN sanction but a check on the government. Israelis are aware of the issues and they sympathise. 

For so long, it was taught that it was our god given right to rid them so we could have our land. Though we never went on a massive purge, we did extend our control and exert it with an iron fist. Protection measures are critical but this does not entail a religious mantra. The messianic faction can’t take the lead. It will only lead to further issues and more violence. Zionism educated us to take back our land and the messiah will come. If we all move it will happen. It is our country and not theirs. We were on a divine mission and therefore were never in the wrong. Israel is on the defence, it’s a milchemet mitzvah, we must do whatever it takes albeit more morally. 

Internal:

Internally, the messianic return inspired a destiny to restore tradition. This is the divine hand returning us to our homeland. It is a sign of redemption. We must repent and rebuild. A religious state is the next step in the process. Even if it infringes on the irreligious. A Jewish country should run Jewishly. Though this is logically sound it is an issue for those who choose not to. 

Messianism need not indicate an eschatological future insofar as it is the preparation for this end. The democratic line is blurred when tradition is crafted onto the scene. Marriage and divorce for example are specifically religiously championed. There is no civil marriage in Israel. It is a Jewish state and thus tradition should take charge. Most of the country is irreligious and compelling religious expression is undemocratic and an attack on fundamental rights. People are free to act as they please. To those Jews who say that democracy and Judaism are at odds or that Judaism believes in duties not rights are misrepresenting the religious expression. Jewish law has never been nationalised and this needs to be executed carefully. The first step must be a safe Jewish state and then to incorporate Jewish values. It is harsh to assume religious law unilaterally on the public. Modifications and adaptations are a must if this is to be completed. For now, democracy must reign heavy and religion sidelined to the private sector. 

Concerning the religious state vibe it is improbable. It will only persist to cause issues. The minority cannot subvert the majority by religious force. I do not think religion should be forced into the private sector but religious coercion needs to be very delicate. The bus situation is overblown, I don’t think it’s such an issue to have or have not. I understand the grievances but there is a method of Arab drivers that easily gets around the legal clause. Marriage should always be privatised. Still there is a traditional character that should maintain its statehood. Israel is a Jewish state and should continue as such but that does not ignore its multiculturalism. Such consideration must be recognised. Yet value-wise it is Jewish.  

Solution:

Zionism needs to regain its original goals. This does not exclude the religious. Famed scholars like R Reines were big supporters in the late 19th century but not for messianic reasons. Zionism must eschew the messianic dogma and reassert its survivalist and cultural perpetuation clause. It’s not simply Israelis fighting to secure but fighting to survive. Too long have Jews been at the mercy of others, annihilated for their beliefs. It is still occurring across the world. Israel is the safest place to be a Jew and to practice Judaism. It is the origin of the Jew and his home to defend. There is a more complex situation given the Palestinians but these two rationales must be reaffirmed to acknowledge a sense of honesty. We do this because we are scared and have no other choice. This is the only place we are secure. 

Yet with this survivalist mentality we cannot ignore the other. There is an additional group who are at our mercy. There is much hatred and anger to this side and rightfully so but it’s less about forgiveness and more about coping with one another. Zionism must cultivate a serious dialogue that pursues a genuine character of Jewish identity in Israel as well as acknowledging Palestinian existence.

To pop some philosophical jargon in conclusion. Wolfson’s synthetic comparison between Kabbalah and Heidegger mirrors a comment nearly advertised by Magid in his review that kabbalistic zionism leads to nazism. Heidegger’s being as first philosophy fits the nazi propaganda. Similarly, the esoteric markers of messianic conquest have fascist underpinnings. My roommate Mayer made a point about the religious ignorance to Palestinian suffering. Beyond the deep aversion Israelis have for Palestinians differs heavily from Nazi Germany. There is a more complex issue that includes peace opportunities (though ironically American Jews may find an ally in Nazi hatred). Yet, it should be noted that whether for historical reasons or strictly ideological reasons the messianic hull has only vigorously elevated the desire to control the land. The fascist tendencies in contemporary zionistic thinking mark a religious takeover that needs mitigation. R’ Rabinovitch, a leading Israeli rabbi was steadily non-messianic, condemned those who sync the holocaust with the establishment of Israel, and advocated for IDF medics to aid wounded Palestinians. R’ Rabinovitch and a renewed Solovietchikean model advertises spirituality. R' Lichtenstein derided the inclusion of the ultra right party for moral reasons. Jews need to take the Levinasian  route of positing ethics as first philosophy. Approaching the other before the self can con constitute a better Jewish model of zionistic hopes. Jews need a place to live peacefully but there is a way to go about it without subjugating others. 

Bibliography:

Allan Nadler, "Maimonides in Ma'ale Adumim," Jewish Review of Books, Summer 2018, pp. 38-40

Chaim Waxman, "Messianism, Zionism and the State of Israel," Modern Judaism 7:2 (1987), pp. 175-192. 

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2018/05/soloveitchik-the-zionist

https://www.hartman.org.il/the-settler-nakba-and-the-rise-of-post-modern-post-zionist-religious-ideology-on-the-west-bank/

https://www.meforum.org/469/can-israel-survive-post-zionism  

https://themarginaliareview.com/heidegger-and-kabbalah/

https://zerufim.siach.org.il/en/zionism_and_exile/