Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Zionism II: Leading Personalities in Religious Zionism: Who Would You Take to Starbucks?
In class we had presentations and discussions about leading personalities in Religious Zionism (Rabbis Mohilever, Pines, Reines, Bar Ilan and Kook) 1) If you could meet and have coffee with one of these leaders, which one would it be and why? 2) Which two ideas of the leader you chose speak to you the most and why?
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The Rabbi I would take to starbucks with me, I think would have to be Rabbi Reines. Rabbi Reines would be my choice out of all the Rabbis we learned about because I really like his idea about dual curriculum. Especially during our times today having a dual curriculum is such an important thing. Learning religious subjects is super important due to the fact that we are Jewish and we do need to know how to live our lives, our past, our future, laws, and everything else we learn about in our Judaic study classes. Although the importance of learning all those topics are important we live in a completely integrated world today. If we only learned Judaic studies in school, we would not be able to go out into the world and live. Although the assignent is to only pick one Rabbi for me i can not only make one decision. In addition to having coffee with Rabbi Reines, I would also invite Rav Kook to our meeting as well. Rav Kook, in my opinion and Rabbi Reines have similar ideas pertaining to the secular world. Both believe that the secular world needs to be part of our education. The main difference between the two though is simply that Rav kook focuses more on people, while Rabbi Reines focuses more on education. Although both are talking about a different specific subject, both are touching on the same point. The secular world weather we agree to it or not is a part of our world. Secular Jews are just as important as Orthodox/religious Jews are. G-d put us all on this world and we are all needed to complete/bring the redemption. Rabbi Reines is completely correct in his idea that we need to have an integrated study with the secular world. As is Rav Kook correct with his idea that secular Jews are important also.
ReplyDeleteRav Kook and Rabbi Reines are the two Rabbi's I would like to sit down and have coffee with. At this meeting I would discuss with both of them the idea secularism integrating into our orthodox world.
(I do not understand so clearly what you mean by the "...ideas of my personality...")
Having to choose one Rabbi to take to Starbucks is such a hard thing to do. I would want to take Rabbi Mohilever and Rabbi Pines. The two Rabbis both have such great and detailed ideas and opinions on what they believe in, so I feel like if I could take them both to Starbucks, I could get a better opinion and view on religious zionism overall. Rabbi Mohilever's main points was that he mainly wanted to bridge the gap between the orthodox and the non orthodox Jews in the Chovevei Zion. He also founded the Mizrachi Movement in the Chovevei Zion. Mohilever wanted to bring in the orthodox people into the movement and make all of the Jews united as one group of Jews, not religious and unreligious. Mohilever also believed in the idea that we, the people, need to initiate the time of Moshiach coming by working on rebuilding the land and getting all of the Jews in Israel. Once we start working towards rebuilding Israel and our nation, Hashem will help with the process and help us along. Secondly, Rabbi Pines's ideas were somewhat similar along some lines. Rabbi Pines' main idea was that it is not possible to have your life split into two, half secular and half religious. This was just absurd to him and thought this was not possible in any circumstance. You cannot divide your life into two, but should instead mesh the two together, because everything relating to Torah is holy. He also thinks you cannot be a zionist if you are not religious. Rabbi Pines had many accomplishments such as reviving the Hebrew language with Eliezer Ben Yehuda. He strongly disliked the Reformed Jews and attacked them. He did not agree with being not religious and being Jewish. I really enjoy hearing all of the different opinions and ideas by all of the different Rabbis' so it is very difficult to pick one Rabbi and two of my favorite ideas by him. I really like the ideas that Mohilever gives because I do think it is right if all the Jews would unite and become one, rather than being separated by their religious views. Being one will help them work together better and participate in Jewish life as one nation. I can't say that i agree with Rabbi Pines idea completely, because I do feel that it is important to have a secular and religious life, but when you are participating in your secular life, not to forget about the religious aspects in your life. I think all of the rabbi's ideas are very educated and unique and have a great impact on the Jewish lives of people today who learn about them.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to choose one main rabbinical figure of Religious Zionism, I would pick Rabbi Bar Ilan to take to Starbucks. I would choose Rabbi Bar Ilan because he is a brilliant scholar (he is in fact the son of the Netziv). It would be fascinating to spend some time with him. Another reason I would choose this specific leader of Religious Zionism is the fact that I strongly disagree with some of his philosophy. I strongly believe in the separation of church and state, while Rabbi Bar Ilan is vehemently against it. One of Rabbi Bar Ilan's main idea of Religious Zionism was that there cannot possibly be a separation of church and state in a political state for the Jewish people. I personally believe that church and state should be separated- religion and and politics should stay separate. Of course I am supportive of a politically recognized state for the Jewish people, but I do not believe that the state should be run according to Halacha. Jews in the state should have the right to choose how observant they would like to be- their personal religious lives should not be in conflict with the governing of the state of Israel. Rabbi Bar Ilan had that opinion that the state should be run in a Torah way according to Halacha. He though it was not even possible to separate religious life from nationalism.
ReplyDeleteSince the Rabbi and I have such strong variances in opinion, I think it would be interesting to take him out debate these two ideas. It would be intriguing to hear his reasoning and hear more about his philosophies.
If I had to take one of the Religious Zionist rabbis to Starbucks, I would choose Rabbi Mohilever. I personally find Rabbi Mohilever to be a fascinating figure. He was a brilliant man who came up with the Mizrachi movement within the Chovevei Zion movement. His goal was to bridge the gap between orthodox and reformed Jews, while giving orthodox Jews the opportunity to express their own beliefs regarding Zionism. I personally think that was an intelligent idea because it attracted many more Jews, specifically orthodox ones, to Zionism. This new innovative branch of the Chovevei Zion essentially expanded Zionist beliefs and made Zionism more widespread. I would love to have a discussion with Rabbi Mohilever over a cup of coffee. I would like to find out what inspired him to go on and father the Religious Zionist movement. If I could meet with him today, I would have many inquiries to what he thinks of the modern state of Israel. I would ask him if he is upset that the Israeli state is not run according to Halacha. I would also ask him if he is infuriated at the freedom of religion within the state of Israel and if he thought the government was properly running the country. I would ask him if he would still be a Zionist if he saw how the country was being run today. I think I would gain a lot of knowledge from having a sit down with rabbi Mohilever. It would be an unforgettable experience.
ReplyDeleteIf I was able to have the great opportunity of taking Rabbi Kook to starbucks, I would be thrilled. Rabbi Kook was a phenomenal philosopher, torah genius,and the first Ashkenazic chief rabbi of Palestine. He was a very strong leader who had many great ideas that he shared with his students. Rabbi Kook founded a yeshiva called Mercaz Harav which is still around today. He supported Heter Mechira which means if someone is going to lose their land during the Shmittah year, you can sell your land to someone who isn’t jewish, and they can take care of it during Shmittah year. Rabbi Kook and other Rabbis gave permission to use Heter Mechira, so they don’t lose lively hood. He wants to try and bridge gaps between religious and secular Jews living in Palestine. This shows that he cared about uniting everyone. The two main ideas that Rabbi Kook mention are continuous redemption and a jew reaches his highest potential in Israel. The idea of linear, continuous redemption really interests me. This means that there is a continuous redemption, starting with Mitzrayim is the beginning on the line. Aliyahs, getting Jerusalem and all that is leading to final redemption. Even though it may seem that the holocaust is a step backward, it really is a step forward; History only moves forward The idea of a Jew can only reach his highest potential and be true to himself in Eretz Yisrael, also really interests me. He is saying that no matter where you are you in the world you will not be able to reach your highest potential and be the greatest Jew you can be, unless you live in Israel. This experience would be a life changer.
ReplyDeleteIf one of the Religious Zionism leaders were resurrected and wanted to have Starbucks with me, I think I would like to have Starbucks with Rav Kook. Though I think it would be fun to argue with Bar Ilan about the issue of “separation of church and state,” maybe it’s better that I don’t fight with him because I don’t wish to disrespect him in any way (it’s just that I don’t agree with him so much..). So, yes, I shall go out to coffee with Rav Kook.
ReplyDeleteAt this meeting, I would inquire Rav Kook a lot about what his belief in mysticism, because I think that is particularly interesting. I would like to hear him explain his ideas of souls and how all our souls are connected as one.
Additionally, I would like to know what his reaction would be to all of his followers and the success of Mirkaz HaRav yeshivah. I have so many questions for the wonderful Rabbi! What is the real Kookian answer? Does he really so vehemently disagree with giving away land? How close does he think we are to the ultimate redemption? Is he satisfied with the way Israel is being run? Or is he disappointed in how secular our world is? Would the culture shock be too much for him?
I really agree with what he said about how our present motivation should come from the knowledge of what a promising future we have. I also think that he has a point when he says that secular Jews are doing G-d’s work even if they don’t mean to, because, really, why are we in Israel if not because G-d promised us the land? Why else would Israel be significant? It’s just a tiny slab of land. What distinguishes Israel from New Jersey (no, not its size!) is the fact that it was promised to us by G-d thousands of years ago. I’m glad he supported Heter Mechira, because I, too, agree with it.
All in all, I think coffee would go well. I don’t know how he would take it, because he probably wouldn’t want to have lunch with me- definitely not alone (yichud). Well, sadly I will never go to starbucks with him. Now all I can do is speculate these questions and try to think “What would Kook do..?”
If I could take any one of the leaders of the Religious Zionist movement to Starbucks, I would take Rav Kook. He interests me very much. Obviously he is a very great leader and an important person if he was lucky enough to be the first Ashkenazic Rabbi of Israel.
ReplyDeleteHe was highly educated and had good relationships with all types of Jews. In those times, not many people could appeal to both Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews because they had such separate opinions, ideas, and beliefs; if Rav Kook could establish a strong, good relationship with both types of people then he obviously has very special, likable qualities.
I really like his idea that secular Jews contribute to religious Zionism unconsciously. This gives us a small insight into why he had such a good relationship with all different types of Jews: because he tried to include them all.
His idea that absolutely amazes me is the idea of linear redemption. I think it was such a fascinating idea that we start from Yitziyat Mizrayam and that we slowly build up to, and work towards, Mashiach (the Final Redemption). For those who have difficulty believing that we'll ever reach that final redemption, it is reassuring, and for those who already are strong in their belief of it, it pushes them to work harder to achieving that goal.
Rav Kook is a very fascinating person to me. By coming up with the idea of linear redemption he shows us that he applies secular theories to Judaic ideas. He was a very intelligent man and something about his personality is clearly very striking - I think I would really enjoy having some coffee with him!
If I could take any of the Rabbis we have studied so far to Starbucks, it would be Rabbi Reines. I would choose him because i agree with he has to say, and I think I think he was a very wise and logical person.
ReplyDeleteThe first idea of Rabbi Reines that I agree with is his idea of dual curriculum schools. I believe that dual curriculum studies are crucial in today's day and age, and without such knowledge it would be virtually impossible to thrive in such an environment.
The seccond idea of his that I agree with is his youth group Bnei Akiva. What better way to spread ideas then by by making a group for kids to come and learn . Children can then inform their parents, making two generations of religious zionists. This helps many people grow up to know what the movement is all about and why to support religious zionism, and then spread it for generations to come.
I don't really like Starbucks so I'm going to take the rabbi of my choice to TCBY.I think I would choose to go with Rabbi Reines. I agree with most of his ideas, if not all of them. I do agree with his ideas about creating dual-curriculum schools. I think we really do need to learn both secular and religious subjects, as we do in our school. In a world like ours, where everyone is very immersed in the secular world, I think it would be wrong to close ourselves off, but at the same time, we have to make sure not to get pulled so far in that we get pulled away from what is really the most important. I also agree with his ideas about creating a youth group, like Emma said. I agree that if you want someone to have a certain viewpoint on something, you need to start making them have a good feeling about it at a very young age. They need to feel comfortable with it and agree with it, and the best way to insure that happening is to try to cultivate the idea in the children when they are very young.
ReplyDeleteIf I could take any of the Rabbis we have studied so far to Starbucks, it would be Rabbi Meir Bar Ilan. The reason I chose this Rabbi is because he inspires me very much with his actions and works. After Rabbi Bar Ilan father, Rabbi Naphtali Zwi Berlin died, Rabbi Bar Ilan wandered for 6 years studying at different Yeshivot in different cities. He did a lot in honor of his father, such as, dedicating his life to Judaism and focusing on different Jewish studies. Although he did take time off to focus on secular studies, Rabbi Bar Ilan could not stay away from Judaism too long that he soon enough returned to his studies of Judaism.One of his accomplishments was that he became the writer and editor of the Mizrahi organization. In 1914 Rabbi Meir Bar Ilan moved to America (which made it easier to go to Starbucks with him) and he always focused on what he loved, for him and for him father; Judaism.
ReplyDelete