Introduction to the Modern Period
AIM: TO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF SELF DEFINITION THAT JEWS FACED IN THE LIGHT OF MODERNITY.
BACKGROUND:
CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY- RUPTURE!!
How were the Jews to respond to the acquisition of equal rights?
Modern Period, shortest but some of the most dramatic events:
Until 1880 - 3 geopolitical spheres –
1. Western and Central Europe: Emancipation
France: Debate but resolved by 1791. Germany debates until 1870s. Produced:
· Haskalah (Enlightenment),
· Wissenschaft des Judentums (the scientific study of Judaism),
· Reform Judaism.
2. Eastern Europe
Jews attained full rights only in 20th century.
Jews concentrated in the Pale of the Settlement- difficult economically. 1860s Russia opened up schools and universities.
3. North Africa and the Ottoman Empire
Largely untouched.
B. From 1880 to 1945
Process of Emancipation completed: But sharp rise in anti-Semitism, pogroms (1881, after assassination of Alexander II), blood libels
Two and half million Jews migrated from Eastern Europe to Western Europe and the USA.
Need to look for a solution to “The Jewish Problem,”
Bund- vision of social justice
Zionism
Holocaust
C. From 1945
Re-birth of Israel
New centres of Jewish life: Israel, USA. France, English speaking world.
Napoleon’s Instructions to the Assembly of Jewish Notables (29 July 1806)
Are the Jews Frenchman or members of a separate nation?
Leo Baeck, “The Essence of Judaism”- All are chosen!
Universalization of the Concept of Covenant. All are chosen. Rise of Reform movement.
Beit HaLevi on Genesis (Bereishit) 32:12 (Orthodox)- Acceptance- a new weapon?
Fear that acceptance of Jews by non-Jewish society could become a threat to Judaism and Jewish identity. “Esav, your brother” is a greater risk than Esav, your enemy.
Netziv’s Treatise on anti-Semitism: Acceptance, the Hidden danger.
Explains why in an age of emancipation, there is a rise in anti- Semitism. Anti-Semitism serves to shake us out of our complacency and remind us of our uniqueness.
Peretz Smolenskin, “Hebrew – Our National Fortress” (1868)- Hebrew: One nation!
Peretz Smolenskin, “It is Time to Plant” (1875-1877)- Every Jew belongs to his people
Jewish national identity and Hebrew as a national language
Micah Yosef Berdichevski, “Wrecking and Building” (1900-1903)- The Last Jews!! Israel precedes the Torah.
Call for the development of a Jewish nation and the creation of a new, national identity. We need to remain linked to the past but also able to move forward and not be bound by the past.
AIM: TO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF SELF DEFINITION THAT JEWS FACED IN THE LIGHT OF MODERNITY.
BACKGROUND:
CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY- RUPTURE!!
How were the Jews to respond to the acquisition of equal rights?
- Jewish identity issues: Are Jews a nation or members of a religion?
- What does it mean to be in Exile if Jews are given civil rights and equality?
- What does modernity mean for the notion of brit?
Modern Period, shortest but some of the most dramatic events:
- Dramatic population growth and shift from 2-3 million in 1800, to 17 million in 1939. After 1945 only two thirds of world Jewry remained, about 12 million
- Population shifts: New centres- Jerusalem, New York.
- Revival of Hebrew as a national language
- political Zionism and sovereignty
- denominations
- Integration
- Assimilation
Until 1880 - 3 geopolitical spheres –
1. Western and Central Europe: Emancipation
France: Debate but resolved by 1791. Germany debates until 1870s. Produced:
· Haskalah (Enlightenment),
· Wissenschaft des Judentums (the scientific study of Judaism),
· Reform Judaism.
2. Eastern Europe
Jews attained full rights only in 20th century.
Jews concentrated in the Pale of the Settlement- difficult economically. 1860s Russia opened up schools and universities.
3. North Africa and the Ottoman Empire
Largely untouched.
B. From 1880 to 1945
Process of Emancipation completed: But sharp rise in anti-Semitism, pogroms (1881, after assassination of Alexander II), blood libels
Two and half million Jews migrated from Eastern Europe to Western Europe and the USA.
Need to look for a solution to “The Jewish Problem,”
Bund- vision of social justice
Zionism
Holocaust
C. From 1945
Re-birth of Israel
New centres of Jewish life: Israel, USA. France, English speaking world.
Napoleon’s Instructions to the Assembly of Jewish Notables (29 July 1806)
Are the Jews Frenchman or members of a separate nation?
Leo Baeck, “The Essence of Judaism”- All are chosen!
Universalization of the Concept of Covenant. All are chosen. Rise of Reform movement.
Beit HaLevi on Genesis (Bereishit) 32:12 (Orthodox)- Acceptance- a new weapon?
Fear that acceptance of Jews by non-Jewish society could become a threat to Judaism and Jewish identity. “Esav, your brother” is a greater risk than Esav, your enemy.
Netziv’s Treatise on anti-Semitism: Acceptance, the Hidden danger.
Explains why in an age of emancipation, there is a rise in anti- Semitism. Anti-Semitism serves to shake us out of our complacency and remind us of our uniqueness.
Peretz Smolenskin, “Hebrew – Our National Fortress” (1868)- Hebrew: One nation!
Peretz Smolenskin, “It is Time to Plant” (1875-1877)- Every Jew belongs to his people
Jewish national identity and Hebrew as a national language
Micah Yosef Berdichevski, “Wrecking and Building” (1900-1903)- The Last Jews!! Israel precedes the Torah.
Call for the development of a Jewish nation and the creation of a new, national identity. We need to remain linked to the past but also able to move forward and not be bound by the past.