Jewish Historical Society of the North Shore

Daniel Shalit

taken from a speech at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Social Sciences, the Swiss Center for Conflict Research, Management and Resolution, marking two years for the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (translated from Hebrew by Yaakov Macal )

 

In 1762, Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote in his book “Emile, or Education:” It seems like we never know what they are saying until the Jews have a free state, schools and university will be able to speak freely and discuss issues safely. Only then can we know what to say. ”

Here we are today, in a free Jewish state, the Hebrew University. If Rousseau was in college today, would be more clear to him “what the Jews are talking about? Well, this is rather dubious, Jews themselves have undergone profound crisis and is not sure what you are saying, and moreover : about who they are.

***

In the Middle Ages, the image was very simple: it was neither a Jew or Christian or Muslim. The transition from one religion to another involves the conversion, metamorphosis, a complete change of identity. Only with the advent of European humanism, the Enlightenment and rationalism, it has become possible to be a Jew, than anything else, apparently wider: a pure man, a citizen, Ein Mensch. Jews use this new opening and penetrated the social fabric of French, German or English as citizens or Menschen. Many completely discarded his Jewish identity and became simply “Menschen” the local (German, French or English) varieties. In reality they have become so good at being what he wanted, almost started to teach the Germans themselves as better and more true Germans, the Germans did not particularly appreciate. The wave of European nationalism that followed, anti-Semitism (the term was invented at the time) and, of course, Nazism – led the Jews of his original Jewish identity, or should we say here: their fate Hebrew.

Meanwhile, Zionism has proposed an alternative: not to ignore the Jewish identity, but on the contrary, affirming and emphasizing it. However, it was a revolutionary new kind of Jewish identity, modeled along the lines then allowed: secular, national and modern. No more wandering Jews, practicing their old religion and daily prayer for divine redemption, but an active history, politics, accountability to return home, gathering from all over the world as a historic land as normal people.

This revolutionary alternative met strong objections from traditional religious communities, but eventually seemed to have won: the state of Israel was founded, fought for and defended throughout this vision. The State of Israel would be the final seal to the normalization of the Jewish people: one was normal, normal people, normal politics.

***

Where are we today? Israel is anything but normal. And “the only state in the world in danger of extinction. Unlike normal countries, are hypersensitive to moral rights, which shot him at an incredible speed. It tries desperately to act in accordance with international standards as moral saints only to discover he is still accused of being the world’s Goliath, a monstrous Nazi war criminal state.

Could it be, then, that the modern state, secular is so normal in a corner, traditionally reserved for Jews since biblical times the prophet Isaiah – the corner kept for the “despised and rejected, and acquainted with grief and pain, despised and unesteemed “- but this time globally? It is quite possible that the normal pressure was an impossibility? Could it be that the name of Israel, with all the historical and religious meaning could not be used to describe a new normal?

And just when normality is that the good fortune to find, anyway? It is the family of nations today as crazy, as abnormal as ever, maybe more, but equally troubled and desperate – perhaps desperate as Israel has taught the nations to seek: redemption, salvation, liberation ? Could it be that Israel itself could be the answer to the problem of man?

***

Meanwhile, not only Israel that has turned into doubts about his identity, the man lost consciousness and the meaning of his existence.

Outside the glorious science that man has developed, which appears as a speck of dust in an endless wilderness area from the point of view of biological – that it is a complex carbohydrate senseless According to the critical post- modern man is an illusion, a “text” or “narrative” of the 19th century white.

This is the postmodern Zeitgeist. A century ago, Zionism indicated its support for the then current ideas of nationality, modernity and progress. But today the same transport channel Western doubts, uncertainty, and in fact – nihilism. The type of identity of these channels have to offer is really a non-identity, as the post-modern erodes all identities, including the man’s identity.

This is why Jean-Jacques Rousseau are still quite uncertain as to what the Jews have to say. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israeli government press and also the “art – all so normal, Western, post-modern – the only Jewish identity leads a hidden life, a life Somewhere Back In unconscious suppressed.

Rousseau may hasten his return to the 18th century in France, because if they stayed longer at the Hebrew University also become postmodern doubts about who he is.

But before doing so, being now in the Middle East, perhaps you should make a visit to some of the settlements in Judea-Samaria. Maybe they took the Jewish consciousness in Israel. Perhaps it would come to understand something of Jewish identity, and perhaps also on the man’s identity.

 

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are perhaps the least understood places on earth. For people affected by the media, are associated with serious injustice (the Palestinians), the ruthless oppression (of Israel), with uncontrollable greed for land (settlers) and are close to racism, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, hatred, and the style of the decent people should keep their distance.

Seldom is heard a word in defense of these places or people that live there. Who am I? Why did they go? What you say in your defense?

***

The areas in which they called the colonists settled in the Wikipedia as “the Palestinian territories, in all languages other than Hebrew. In Hebrew Wikipedia, however, they are called” Judea and Samaria. “That pretty much says it all. The Arabs feel a foreign body that has invaded their territory, where they lived for generations. But a foreign invader is denied his being abroad, says he just returned home four thousand years. For him The “Palestinians” are the newcomers the field, in fact, the invaders of their origin or infiltrated Saudi Arabia. For him, the “Palestinian territories” are at the heart of the Land of Israel, including cities such as Bethlehem, Beit -El, Jericho, Shekhem, the City of David Jerusalem was the way to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were the scene of two Jewish kingdoms and temples for two thousand years, and later, through two thousand years Jews forced into exile, have been the subject of constant desire and prayer – to return to Zion.

In summary, these mountains were, and remain the backbone of Jewish identity. Without them, Tel Aviv has no meaning or justification, and Israel is in fact a colonizing power. With them, Israel is not colonization, but back home.

***

Three objections may be raised against this argument:

1. Come to deny the rights of people living here and now – the simple story, on behalf of the things that occurred thousands of years ago?

2. Who says so long, its identity remains the same? It has not changed significantly over the past millennia?

3. Why insist on the territories at all? Have not we suffered enough of this requirement of the animals ‘territorial’? We have super attacks sometimes miserable land?

These three objections took power in our post-modern era. I question the validity of the story, the reality of the identity and uniqueness of the place.

Therefore worth a closer look in our time.

 

Postmodernism is not just a fad and not just a fad, first, is the current state of our civilization: science, technology, economy and society but also the “spirit of the times (Zeitgeist) , which dominates the intellectual world as art, literature and popular culture.

This Central Zeitgeist dismantles all traditional structures, such as nation and family, authority and hierarchy, all the traditional values (goodness, truth and beauty) and general orientation (center versus periphery, the irrelevance compared to the relevance , serious vs. trivial, superficial vs deep).

Post-modernism has a corrosive effect, not only in Jewish-Israeli perspective, but in Western civilization. If you somehow can recreate the world of human values, is to benefit humanity.

Time and place are related. Intuitively, we perceive time as “What you need to travel a certain distance.”

Now, in the global village and the time and space have almost disappeared. In cyberspace there are practically no space / time is involved, geographical distance is irrelevant, the connections are instantaneous.

What is happening in technology is based on post-modern thought. Traditionally, the place and time were not only abstract dimensions, but with a real structure: the structure must have a center against the periphery of surface versus depth and height. These physical dimensions had their mental correlations: average historical importance, the suburbs means insignificant, irrelevant. Area superficial meaning, depth and height of meaning and significance of import. Now, postmodernism rejects both physical and spiritual distinction.

And there is some truth in this. Indeed, who can deny that the universe is now conceived as infinite in the universe – the center, height, depth, etc are only relative to the observer. Our big cities have the same structure does not: they had their old historical center with the church, the market and the city – which marks the center of mass, and – and around him in ever-widening circles – periphery periphery, while postmodernity-mega-cities are a conglomeration of suburbs, no center, or at most polycentric. Another example is the Web, without modification or regulation center. Post-modernism takes these examples to be good parables no structure of reality and consciousness: there is no central point of view or the truth: there are only views.

This seems to be heralding a new era of openness and tolerance (and in fact is a step forward from the narrow-mindedness and ego-centrism and ethno-). But this total openness means that there is no truth at all, nothing is important or trivial, high or low, deep or superficial. Everything is important and the trivial, profound, superficial, and nothing really matters.

So perhaps a new form that serves to restore our relationship with the truth, value and meaning. It may be the parables of the physical space of the megalopolis and the web are not sufficient to describe the size – vital, mental, spiritual – in which man acts, which is a microcosm.

Meanwhile, until they found new ways, Western culture, the dominant culture of our time, acts without guidelines, without structure.

***

So much deconstruction of space and its conceptual parallel.

Time, too, loses its structure, both in practice and thought. In the post-modern thought, and contrary to the ancient concept of progress, the story is not going anywhere. In addition, there is no history “truth.” The story is a kaleidoscope of stories.

It follows the erosion of local identities. In any case, MacDonald is the same everywhere, even technical production and sales are standardized. local cultures were wiped out and the maximum offering the attractions of the World Trade Center (exotic foods, ethnic music, authentic bars, trattorias people). The malls are the same, the work is the same, and all individuals are dissolved in an undifferentiated mass.

Once again, confirms the theory of practice: when space and time lose their value, the identity used to define itself through time and history, is also eroded.

Once again, the loss of identity is presented as a step forward, almost like a rescue: no difference, no more borders: borders dissolve, and all cultures, all races, all classes are close together other and embrace “the sympathy and understanding, harmony and trust abounding” (“The Age of Aquarius” from “Hair”).

But this is a sweet illusion. Love is only between complementary opposites. Aqueous non-identity can not fertility, but to escalate into an inert mass.

***

And as mentioned before, is not merely personal or cultural identity that have been degraded. The man’s identity, its own design, has been canceled. In fact, man has been denied.

 

The entire Western culture was built by and for self-determination, autonomous subject. The free man or a free woman remains at the center and foundation of democracy. Now, while these values are still highly praised, in fact they are depreciated and devalued. The man refused, in both practice and theory.

As an employee, which is the mechanism of impotence involved in a global business can not understand, and that erodes his humanity. As a client, is tempted and forced to eat what is not necessary, while the machine will use all means of persuasion, above or below the navel, to deceive him, in effect, and their demands are making form and re-engineering. As a political entity is treated as a man of public relations professionals with contempt, as a particle of a crowd, crowd or faceless mass to be manipulated, deceived and forced.

At the top, we find leaders – businessmen, political leaders, media celebrities and art. They collect all the glory of leadership and decision making. But in reality, they are also forced by circumstances incomprehensible, slaves to the demands of the race, competition and image. They have never had the time or peace of mind to find your inner truth, busy accumulating fame, money or power, they have no humanity as the last of the crowd.

So much for the denial of man, in practice now in theory.

From the scientific point of view, man does not deserve much dignity: not only his home on planet Earth, but the entire solar system is somewhere in a small tail in the Milky Way, which in turn is only a billion galaxies out of a heat stroke to a senseless death insignificant. In this small planet, man is only if certain chemicals, which somehow survived, but is currently under the direction of suicide. Que se vayan insects and microorganisms that survive and not lose much.

From the perspective of postmodernism, “” Man with a capital, or the topic in philosophical language, is nothing but an invention “subject”, a “narrative” of Western culture, a “text” to be deconstructed and exposed. In any case, has never been anything but the arrogance of this curious species and its goal of dominating the existence unjustifiable all animate and inanimate.

So much for the denial of man, the man stripped of all dignity and identity, both in practice and theory.

***

Somehow, despite everything, survives as a need for identity, in man, gnawing at him.

The post-modern recognizes this need and addresses, in a special way. Provides illusory and empty, outward-looking identity: a winner, a celebrity, a success “minor roles” people are offered the smallest: a consumer label, a fan club member.

***

Another way is through the identification of hate: I do not know who we are, but we know we do not like. I hate, therefore I am. (This is the reality against the dream of Universal Love).

Identity through hatred is not a new invention: the hatred always helped strengthen the identity and mobilize the masses. But today, as are the natural decline of identities, the role of increases hatred. Two of Orwell “Minutes Hate” in his novel “1984″ represented the role of hatred in dictatorships. But today it seems that not only in dictatorships but also democracies – free, tolerant, open and friendly, otherwise people may need a devil to define themselves against. This time, the hate is not invoked by a foreign tyrant deliberate: it is rather a necessity from the interior, individual or collective unconscious, projecting deep inner fears and guilt of an individual or group outside which makes the “totally other.” Since it is not forced from without but from within asked, is much more difficult to diagnose and treat. People who do not readily admit demonization practice, since this was his way of self-cleaning. Why they are informed, drawing cartoons were “totally other” mirror can be projected onto themselves. They may feel that they are being demonized, and strongly rejected the accusation. (So do not insist, but only slightly suggest that these processes can be deep, the roots of international demonization of Israel and “settlements”).

***

The denial of human values, erosion of values, and the parallel increase of hatred and demonization of the West to create a culture of toxic substances. His past achievements can not be denied: the free man creativity in science, technology, social and political thought, and the arts. But somehow these results upon themselves to poison the life of Western man.

 

Islam reacts strongly to this toxicity of Western culture, the loss of traditional values, the breakdown of traditional family and the traditional system of authority.

The remedy offered is the discipline of religion – complete submission to God. In the West, Islam diagnosis too much freedom. Islamic thinkers (Maududi, Sayyid Qutb) see the centrality of man in the West as the source of all evil, Western culture is called “New jahili” which means the new paganism.

However, the only remedy for Islam knows the situation – the war – or destruction.

In reality we are witnessing a clash of two opposing civilizations on the basis of two opposing principles: the autonomy of man, without reserve, absolute and complete – as opposed to absolute submission, total man God. total openness, tolerance, contains – against the divine and absolute power.

Both principles are derived from Judaism, which, despite the creative tension between them, ultimately, have to coexist in peace and fertility. Each culture has a role of Judaism, without recognizing their original and creative unifying force. When facing crises now have more access to the source of life that allows the renewal, but are forced to return to some kind of conservatism – the outer layer of religious enthusiasm at a time.

What man would not now have to go back, but a step forward, a new source and foundation.

 

First, no settlers “/” for writing messages. “The settlers” are not a separate tribe. Each has many relatives and supporters throughout Israel. The settlements are only a concise expression of Jewish identity, true to its history and places of definition. (And the Arab media know this, that all the cities they call Israeli “settlements” for them, all Israel is a large illegal settlement).

***

Jewish identity is not easy to maintain.

It is a fact: it is a choice. It is necessary to choose, rediscovered and won in every new historical circumstances;

It may be lost for a while “no, refused, minimize, remove or hidden, is always the test.

But in every generation there is a nucleus or group that supports him fully as possible at that time.

Today I believe that the settlements that take place in full: the life of Torah and modern life, devotion to the ideals and achievements, Tradition and renewal.

***

What is the highlight of the settlements now Hebrew is the message for our time:

There is hope for humanity. And it’s possible to mediate between human freedom and autonomy on the one hand, and service to God, on the other.

Judaism does not accept autonomy, human dignity, freedom and creativity. All these are possible human remains of the image of God in Judaism was made, through Christianity, which laid the foundation of humanism in the West (it is true that classical Greece, the other pillar of the West, did establish Indeed, the centrality of man, but not the value or hope that man is essentially a tragic being), then were the Jews who developed these qualities and used them to catalyze liberalism everywhere.

On the other hand, Jews testifies man standing before God, this is not only obedience, submission and service, but includes the full range of love and fear, fascination and fear, intimacy and distance .

***

The paradox of Judaism – the human paradox – branched into two different civilizations. How the autonomy of man and submit to reconcile?

abstract formulas will not take us very far. The balance of freedom of presentation has to be lived, fought and suffered for. This requires some specific life of the company for a long time in history, focusing on a specific geographical scene.

In the true tradition of Israel, the society in which the human drama has been and is issued, is the people of Israel, the story is the story of Israel, the place is the land of Israel. .

 

Settlements that

History is not just a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. The story is of importance and significance. This is a process of trial and appeal. Nothing is lost. You can not “say” if you want: you can do wrong, lie or to seek the truth of history.

Place is not just territory, an abstract place. Place breathes life. The sites are fraught with meaning and spiritual potential. Instead, much more material, test and implement our inner life. Man is responsible for the space: it responds to its potential. Invest with care and creativity, culture and holiness – or degraded by irresponsible and wrong.

Identity is not only a sum of outward signs or differences. Interior is a unifying force. It is a vision of leadership. Through its apparent limits of the Infinite can be perceived.

***

Again, the identity of Israel is not easy to achieve. This is a summary of humanism and religion, innovation and tradition, technology and ecology, individuality and community, nationality and universality. For this work to be done, we need our own laboratory, which is the Land of Israel – and time. If we have time and credit, undisturbed by the constant threat of war, destruction and extermination, but we can not guarantee anything, but at least May we resume our work, which is only for the good of the human family.