Theodor Herzl and Anti-Semitism

In Theodor Herzl's The Jewish State, Herzl argues that the creation of a Jewish homeland would lead to an end in anti-Semitism. Reflect on Herzl's thinking and answer the following questions: 

(1) We know that anti-Semitism still exists in the world. Does that mean that Herzl was wrong? Is there a way to view Herzl as being correct despite the continued existence of anti-Semitism? 
(2) What has a Jewish state accomplished in terms of the standing of the Jews in the international community? Give two examples that illustrate your point.  

Post Israeli Elections

Reflecting on Israel's recent elections, please answer the following questions:

(1) How many seats did the parties that you represented in our mock Israeli elections secure in the new Knesset? How does that compare to what your parties received in the 2009 Israeli Elections?
(2) If you were an Israeli citizen eligible to vote, which party would you have voted for and why?
(3) How many parties made it into the Knesset and how many did not?
(4) What feature of Israel's political system do you like best? Why?
(5) What feature of Israel's political system do you like least? Why?

Women/Birth of Modern Hebrew Literature/Zionism

In class we discussed Abraham Mapu who wrote the first hebrew novel. Please read the following articles about Sarah Foner - http://jewishmag.com/45mag/froner/froner.htm, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/foner-sarah-feiga-meinkin, and http://www.fonerbooks.com/translat.htm and answer the following questions: 

(1) Who was Sarah Foner and why is she a significant figure? 
(2) What are her famous works? 
(3) What activities did she take part in? 
(4) What is Sarah Foner's connection to Zionism? 

Current Crisis in Israel/Particularism vs. Universalism

Read Daniel Gordis' article, When Balance Becomes Betrayal at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/when-balance-becomes-betrayel/ and then read David Myers' response, Response to Gordis: a simplistic misreading of history at http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/response-to-gordis-a-simplistic-misreading-of-history/?fb_comment_id=fbc_553405994676668_6747597_554096031274331#f2b78a346c. 

Please post answers to the following questions: 

1) What is Daniel Gordis' main point and how does he use the current crisis in Israel to illustrate his argument? 
2) What is David Myers' critique of Gordis? 
3) Do you think Myers accurately depicts Gordis' argument? Why or why not? 
4) Do you agree more with Gordis or Myers? Why? 
5) Is there a way to synthesize the two positions? 

The Mitzvah of Living in Israel

In class we looked at different ways of understanding why the Rambam did not list living in Israel in his Sefer HaMitzvot. Which way of understanding the Rambam do you find most persuasive? Why? Which explanation do you find least persuasive? Why?

Mitzvot HaTeluyot Ba'Aretz

Consider the Mitzvot Hateluyot Ba'Aretz that we discussed in class.

1) Which one of them speaks to you the most? Why?
2) Imagine yourself in Israel carrying out the mitzvah. Write a few sentences, as if you are writing to a friend in Chutz La'Aretz, explaining what you are doing and describing your feelings upon performing the mitzvah.

Sanctity of the Land of Israel

After examining different statements by Chazal regarding the land of Israel, we noted that they saw Eretz Yisrael as a powerful agent of positive change. Reflect on this idea and consider how Israel has changed individual Jews, groups of Jews, and the Jewish people as a whole: 

• Do you know anyone who was changed/positively influenced by his/her connection to the land of Israel? If yes, how were they changed? 
• As you have become more connected to Israel over the years, do you notice any positive change within yourself? If yes, describe the change. 
• How has the Jewish people been changed/positively influenced by the land of Israel?   Give one example from ancient times and one from modern times.