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New Heart, New Spirit: Biblical Humanism for Modern Israel

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Arie Lova Eliav was an Israeli hero. An activist and idealist, with the Haganah, he also commanded illegal ships against the British blockade. He also was involved in rescue missions during the Sinai campaign. He was the dynamic force behind development projects all over Israel. A pioneer and idealist. This book is his effort to not simply read the Bible in order to find eternal values in it. His reading is done in the hope of vitally infusing these values into Israeli society. For Eliav Israel lost its way with the victory of 67'. While I do not agree with him on his simple criticism of what he calls 'ritual Jews' those who believe and act upon the idea that the land of Israel has been Divinely given to the people of Israel I do share his deep concern with the overall question of the moral character and quality of Israeli life. I also would second his clear and persuasive reading of Biblical values: He focuses on the Sanctity of life, on Justice, on Mercy, on Equality, on Freedom and on Peace. He argues that Israel needs to restore its soul by making a peace agreement with the Palestinian Arabs . He does this say this naively but out of an awareness of how the refusal to live in peace with the Jews has been the instigating force of the conflict all along. His warm and humanistic spirit, his love of humanity and goodness dominate this work.
If all of us Jews and Arabs were like him the world would be a better place, and we would perhaps achieve the peace so longed for.