Zionism I: Historical Context for the Emergence of Zionism
If Moses Mendelssohn, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch and the Chatam Sofer were all to come to your house for Shabbos dinner and you were able to ask each of them two questions, what would you ask?
1. I would ask all of them what motivated them (personally) to take the standpoint that they did and endorse the courses of action that their followers took. What differed between the personal experiences of Moses Mendelssohn, the Chatam Sofer, and Rav Hirsch?
2. (For all three of them) In retrospect, would they have changed their reactions to Emancipation if they had known what their decisions would cause?
1. I would ask all of them what they thought about each others standpoints and ideology. Why should the Jews follow their "rules" and ideas? (Basically, I'm asking for a debate)
2. My second question for all of them would be what they think the end goal for the Jewish people should be (in the secular world)? Assimilation? Stay separate from the secular world? Be part of it? Make an effort to balance both worlds?
1. Mendelson-- Did your childhood effect your ideas about Israel and Judaism. Did you grow up with secular aspects in it? 2. Why did you not believe in returning to Israel on your own? By going to Israel on your own, maybe Hashem would send Mashiach earlier.
1. I would ask them what motivated them and how they stayed true to their belief's 2. I would also ask them how they felt about what they'd accomplished in their lifetime and what they would do differently given the chance.
1. I would ask all of them how they came up with their beliefs. 2. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn why he basically wanted to reduce the amount of Judaism in a person's daily life. Didn't he think that this would make Jews become astray?
1. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn why he decided to change Judaism. 2. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn how he feels about his descendants converting to Christianity after his involvement in Judaism.
1.to Moses mendelssohn - how did you try to prove Judaism with knowledge ? 2. to Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch how did you know going out into the world would effect your Judaism ?
1. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn why he decided to use logic and reasoning to prove judaism?
ReplyDelete2. I would ask Rabbi Shimon Raphael Hirsch why he was such a non-zionist? Why did he believe in only loyalty to your host countries and not Israel?
1. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn why couldn't he just accept Judaism as it was instead of trying to prove everything? some things can't be explained.
ReplyDelete2. What do you believe Jews would have to do in order for Hashem's directions to lead you back into Israel?
the second one was for Hirsch
ReplyDelete1. I would ask all of them what motivated them (personally) to take the standpoint that they did and endorse the courses of action that their followers took. What differed between the personal experiences of Moses Mendelssohn, the Chatam Sofer, and Rav Hirsch?
ReplyDelete2. (For all three of them) In retrospect, would they have changed their reactions to Emancipation if they had known what their decisions would cause?
1. I would ask all of them what they thought about each others standpoints and ideology. Why should the Jews follow their "rules" and ideas? (Basically, I'm asking for a debate)
ReplyDelete2. My second question for all of them would be what they think the end goal for the Jewish people should be (in the secular world)? Assimilation? Stay separate from the secular world? Be part of it? Make an effort to balance both worlds?
1. Mendelson-- Did your childhood effect your ideas about Israel and Judaism. Did you grow up with secular aspects in it?
ReplyDelete2. Why did you not believe in returning to Israel on your own? By going to Israel on your own, maybe Hashem would send Mashiach earlier.
The second question is for Hirsch.
Delete1. I would ask them what motivated them and how they stayed true to their belief's
ReplyDelete2. I would also ask them how they felt about what they'd accomplished in their lifetime and what they would do differently given the chance.
1. I would ask all of them how they came up with their beliefs.
ReplyDelete2. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn why he basically wanted to reduce the amount of Judaism in a person's daily life. Didn't he think that this would make Jews become astray?
1. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn why he decided to change Judaism.
ReplyDelete2. I would ask Moses Mendelssohn how he feels about his descendants converting to Christianity after his involvement in Judaism.
1.to Moses mendelssohn - how did you try to prove Judaism with knowledge ?
ReplyDelete2. to Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch how did you know going out into the world would effect your Judaism ?
1. I would ask all of them what their motivation was for their actions.
ReplyDelete2 I would ask all of them why they chose that direction and did what they did.