Hebrew Universalism (philosophy)
Hebrew Universalism is a post-Zionist[1] religious, cultural, and political philosophy that synthesizes secular Jewish nationalism, Jewish anti-Zionism, and Orthodox Jewish thought. It was initially formulated by the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine, Abraham Isaac Kook, as a means of unifying Jewish civilization.[2]
Beliefs[edit]
The Three Forces[edit]
In 1920, Rav Kook published a book, Lights of Rebirth, in which he laid out what he considered to be the "three forces" constantly in conflict throughout human history: The three forces he identified were: HaKodesh (The Holy), HaUmah (The Nation), and HaAnshiyut (The Humanist); with each of these forces representing a different camps of Jews within the Yishuv. "The Holy" - Orthodox Jews, "The Nation" - secular Jewish Zionists, and "The Humanist" - General Humanism found among all peoples. Kook believed these three forces must work together to ensure the prosperity and security of the entire Jewish community.[3][4]
The uniqueness of Jewish nationalism[edit]
Kook laid out his belief in Lights of Rebirth that secular nationalism as defined in the Western world stood at odds with the Jewish concept of nationhood laid out in the Tanakh. He believed that the stated purpose of Jewish civilization was the betterment of humanity, as stated in Genesis 12:3 in which God tells Abraham "through you, I will bless all of the families of the world". Therefore, per Kook, Jewish nationalism and universalism were intrinsically linked together, allowing for the synthesis of these two seemingly conflicting concepts.[5][6]
Semitic Unity[edit]
Rav Yehuda HaKohen, a Hebrew Universalist activist and founder of the revived Semitic Action group[7], believes Hebrew Universalism to be the key to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the concept of "Semitic Unity".[8] HaKohen is also a proponent of a one state solution, an end to the occupation of Palestine, resettlement of Gaza[9], Arab civil rights, and addressing the historical crimes committed by the Zionist movement during the founding of the State of Israel.[10] Despite coming from a religious national Zionist background, being a veteran of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, and a settler in the West Bank, HaKohen has repeatedly called for peace and cooperation between Jews and Palestinians, much like fellow settler activist, Rabbi Menachem Froman.[11]
Groups[edit]
Sources[edit]
- ^ "Progressing beyond Zionism". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Dosetareh, Eliott (8 August 202). "Hebrew Universalism: The Future Vision of Rav Kook" (PDF). Straus Scholars Program Thesis: Yeshiva University (1): 4–6.
- ^ "Orot, Lights from Darkness, Lights of Rebirth 18:1". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Truboff, Zach (2017-03-16). "Rav Kook on Culture and History - The Lehrhaus". Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ "Orot, Lights from Darkness, Lights of Rebirth 5:8". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ "The Teachings of Rav. Kook: Nationalism vs Universalism - Part 1 - L'Emunat Iteinu vol.I (13/07/16)". Machon Meir English Department. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ "Yehuda HaKohen, Author at VISION". VISION. 2024-01-18. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ "For This Israeli Settler, Zionism Isn't Nearly Radical Enough". The Forward. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ Riesman, Abraham (2020-12-25). "The Bizarre Rise of the Manhattan Prep School Gangster Turned Enigmatic West Bank Rabbi". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ HaKohen, Yehuda (2018-02-25). "A Tale of Two Narratives | VISION Magazine | Yehuda HaKohen". VISION. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ HaKohen, Yehuda (2021-09-14). "Am I Proud of My Service in Israel's Army? | VISION | Yehuda HaKohen". VISION. Retrieved 2024-06-01.