Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Demidog
To: OrthodoxPresbyterian FYI 58 posted on 1/20/02 12:00 PM Pacific by Demidog

Yeah, I'm familiar with the Orthodox Judaic argument against the theological validity of Zionism.

I try to avoid commenting on it for two reasons:
1.) Other Orthodox Jews say Zionism is as kosher as motzah. So it's an intramural spat in an area where my expertise is limited.
2.) My inclination would be to say, "The rabbi is right, Zionism is theologically invalid... you should all become Christians!!" But that would probably sound self-serving coming from a Christian and all...

...Mainly, the anti-Zionist theological argument, like the pro-Zionist theological argument, I do not consider particularly relevant to the legal validity of Israeli claims to the West Bank (aka Judea and Samaria). Those matters have more to do with post 1897-developments onward, than with Torah and Talmud. (I.E., even if Zionism is a theologically invalid form of Judaism, Zionist Israel has proper legal right to exist and proper legal claim to its current territories).

None of this would invalidate the human right of Palestinians in Ramallah (or for that matter, Jews in Haifa) to establish a new State, per the universal Human Rights detailed in the Declaration of Independence. Trouble is, for such Revolution to be just, the Revolutionists muct be both revolting against oppression, and proposing a government which respected those Rights detailed in the Declaration of Independence. The current intifada just isn't fitting that bill.

129 posted on 01/20/2002 12:22:48 PM PST by OrthodoxPresbyterian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies ]


To: OrthodoxPresbyterian
2.) My inclination would be to say, "The rabbi is right, Zionism is theologically invalid... you should all become Christians!!" But that would probably sound self-serving coming from a Christian and all...

LOL. OK. But I hope you understand that I am not questioning the legal right of Israel to exist.

131 posted on 01/20/2002 12:25:07 PM PST by Demidog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 129 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson