Shavua tov! Time to start a new week and no better way to do so than by spending some time at Jewcy, currently chock full of interesting pieces. There is one by Michael Weiss berating historian and journalist Ian Buruma. It is hard to miss it: besides calling Buruma's recent writing "full-tilt stupid," it is entitled, The Decline and Fall of Ian Buruma.
I do not, in fact, agree with much of Weiss' critique of Buruma, and I question his understanding of the history of Jews within the Austro-Hungarian empire. He seems quick to deny Jews' affection for Franz Joseph - read this article in the NYRB for a more nuanced view of the Jews' relationship to Franz Joseph (subscription required though if you would like to read it I will have copies available in the office). In part he bases his view on the support of some Bolshevik Jews for the communist Bela Kun. Kun certainly had Jewish support, but that is a far cry from proving that all Jews were supporters of Kun. That is a syllogism.
Further, calling old Jews who had affection for Franz Joseph--who thrice rejected the appointment of the blatantly anti-semitic mayor Karl Lueger--"quislings" is a little strong. Quisling was a Norwegian fascist leader who, through his collaboration with the Nazis, has become a byword for collaborators and traitors. I would be loathe to use this accusation so casually.
Yet it all makes for interesting read and--as a small treat on top of that--it introduced me to Leo Strauss' concept of reductio ad Hitlerum.
Also on Jewcy you can read David Klinghoffer's rejection of Zionism in his piece, Why I am not a Zionist (But Christians Should Be). His words challenge Jews to clarify their stance on Zionism as opposed to a support of Israel based on the reality of so many Jews living there. Again, read this for yourself and decide; I will simply make a note or two here. Klinghoffer's particular understanding of tikkun olam, which he ascribes to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, is one which is dependent upon Jews living amongst the nations, rather than in a state of their own. He states:
This is the famous idea of tikun olam, repairing the world. In the traditional understanding, tikun olam means acting to lead humanity toward a deeper understanding of God and His laws. Hirsch argued that this is “a God-given destiny which…overshadows the existence of a state.”
The concept is central to Judaism. It is embodied in the famous instruction God gave to the Jews upon their arrival at Mt. Sinai, where they would receive the Ten Commandments: “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). Jews are literally intended to minister to the world as priests, teaching and inspiring humanity. Merely to have a state, to be like other peoples, is not our destiny.
One does not have to be especially Torah-literate to know that "the famous instruction" was given to the Jews together with the command to enter the land and live apart from other peoples. Therefore, one can reasonably assume that God did not see an inherent contradiction between Jews living apart with national autonomy and being a kingdom of priests. The question, then, is how one views history, the relationship between Zionism and the messianic promise of return to the land, and the Zionist belief that the authority of the state is necessary for the current well-being of the Jewish people.
Hope you enjoy the read and have a great week.
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