THE CASE FOR ISRAEL. Class # 1

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This is the first class, from 1840 until 1915. We dicussed how Zionism in embebed in our Tora; how the reform movement in 1840 tried to formulated a Mosaic religion withiut a state. 1860-1880 antisemitism pushing Jews to Erets Israel. The numer of Jews in Israel by 1905. The first colonies. 1905-1914 Israel under Ottoman Empire. First World War

MAIN POINTS OF DISCUSSION

We are a Nation. Not a religion! What is the difference? 

The Reform Movement: Religion without a State.

Secular Zionism: State without Religion.

TORA: Both are completely integrated. Ribbi Yehuda Bibas.

TESHUBA: Debarim 30. “Collective Return of the People of Israel to God’s Land. Return to Israel is returning to God.  

THE JEWISH POPULATION IN ISRAEL FROM 1880  

Before 1880: less than 25,000 Jews lived in the land of Israel. 

Between 1880 and 1914: tens of thousands of Jews came from Europe escaping persecutions.  

Rabbi Isaac HaCohen Kook (1865-1935): the power of anti-Semitism.  

Sir Moshe Montefiore (1784 -1885) and the Baron of Rothschild (1845 – 1934): Building colonies and creating jobs. 

Eliezer Ben-Yehuda (1858-1922): The miraculous revival of the Hebrew language 

1904 a huge wave of Jewish immigration to US. Over 2 million Jews immigrated to the United States,1.5 million of them to New York in 20 years. No support for a Jewish State.  Not internal, not external. 

FIRST WORLD WAR

What happened on  July 28, 1914? 

1916: Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith  and Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

The difference between Catholic and Protestant attitudes to Jews 

Arthur Balfour (1848-1930)

Hayim Weizmann (1874-1952)

On April 23, 1920, San Remo, The League of Nations