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Wikipedia Outline

Description:

Elements of Jewish Nationalism in Antiquity represents how themes found in the bible as well as other prayer books and works found in popular literature intended to galvanize the Jewish people. The effects of which spurred future movements and is therefore now deeply embedded within religious practice and i ideals.

Sections:

Nationalism in present in the bible:

In the story of Passover (Exodus,) its very name alone expresses the distinction of identifying who was Jewish. Passover refers to G-d passing over the Hebrew homes in Egypt while slaying the first born sons of the enslaver population. Hebrews had to thereby draw lambs blood on their doors, thus distinguishing themselves. “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you,” (Exodus 12:23.) The exodus story, testifies to the nationalistic sentiment displayed, as the Hebrews were then sent to the land that was promised in the covenants to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of,” (Genesis 28:15.) This is a testament to those covenants and could be viewed as the solidification of the promise that G-d would protect his followers, his chosen people.

This section will show how the bible was the framework in establishing a nationalistic sentiment in Judaism and will use certain passages and stories to describe the sentiment expressed.

Historians Perspective:

Historians Moshe and David Aberbach argue that the suppression of the revolt against Rome in 70 led the Jews to focus on their identity. “Largely deprived of the territorial, social political bases of their nationalism, the Jews were forced to base their identity and hope of survival not on political but on cultural and moral power…. The forced split between political and cultural nationalism was a major factor in Jewish survival.” Therefore, it is evident that in the factors of religion, language, sacred texts and culture, Jews depended on nationalism to survive, providing an explanation on how religious practices and stories had developed.

Historian Benedict Anderson writes, “Members of even the smallest nation will never know most of their fellow-members, meet them, or even hear of them, yet in the minds of each lives the image of their communion.” Therefore, it can be determined that these elements strive to protect and instill a level of community, political action, and a military mobilization of the masses in defense of a homeland.

This section will show the forces behind nationalism and its intended effect by both describing its significance and historical value.

Customs and Practices:

By using talking points of Jewish historians, mainly Salo Baron, here, this section will explain the significance of how Jewish nationalism was exemplified in its customs and practiced while in some cases it evolving to it.

As the famed Jewish historian Salo Baron explains, “even the Jewish Sabbath, a profound sanctification by virtue of its connection with beginnings of all history became so important to Jews that they were once referred to as the “Shabbetai” and were therefore persecuted because of it. Embedded in its significance to worshippers today, it has become more than a religious practice, developing into a day of the week that has been influenced by its distinction of who follows it. Baron provides another example and explains “The other fundamental ceremony of Judaism, circumcision, provides another capital illustration… making of it an eternal symbol of Gods covenant with the Jewish people… today, as always, practically all Jews adhere to it as the symbol of the unity between Israel’s creed and Israel’s people.” Practices such as this exemplify the essence behind nationalism and is the same in principle as what is constituted in biblical literature. While referring to immortality, Baron furthers the argument and explains “The nation overshadows the individual in other respects as well. What really matters in the Jewish religion is not the immortality of the individual Jew, but that of the Jewish people. Even when later Judaism adopted the belief in the immortality of the soul and physical resurrection, the central point remained the eternal life of the nation.”