A Threat from Within: A History of Jewish Opposition to Zionism [Paperback]

Yakov M. Rabkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 2006

There's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. These words by the poet Leonard Cohen could aptly describe this book, which takes history as a witness to the exceptional nature of Zionism in Jewish history. It explains many points of discord between the political ideology of Zionism and what most people consider Judaism. It also shows how Jewish traditional conscience offers a hope for the solution of the Middle East crisis. The conflicts in Israel/Palestine acquire a different meaning when seen in the context of Jewish opposition to Zionism. This book has attracted Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike who find this story inspiring in today's world of mobile identities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is required reading for every serious student of Jewish history and concerned layman alike."--Rabbi Daniel Greer, Dean, Yeshiva of New Haven


"By daring to question Zionism, Rabkin squarely poses the question of the future of Jewish life. This question will form the struggle of Jewish identity in the 21st century."--Dr. Marc H. Ellis, Professor of American and Jewish Studies, Baylor University

'This book sheds light on religious anti-Zionism, which, demographically and ideologically, represents the most serious threat to Israel as a State and as a collective identity"-- Joseph Hodara, Bar-Ilan University, Israel

'I can only welcome the publication of this unconventional book based on often ignored historical facts. It is up to us to draw lessons from it.' - Rabbi Moshe Gérard Ackermann, Neve Yerushalayim Jewish Education Network, Jerusalem

'Yakov Rabkin has produced an altogether remarkable book that tells the story and analyses the ideas of the Orthodox Jewish movement opposed to Zionism and the State of Israel. I am enormously impressed by the author's historical scholarship, by his brilliant analysis of a complex literature and by the lucidity of his prose. This is an extraordinary book.' - Dr Gregory Baum, Professor of Theology, McGill University

'This book is fascinating. it presents a range of anti-Zionist arguments developed in Jewish religious circles that are practically unknown to the public. It is a solid contribution to scholarship.' - Dr Alain Bouchard, Professor of Theology, Laval University

'This is a capital book that comes at the very time that "the eternal Middle East question" demands new approaches that may defuse the crisis. This is why this book must be read without delay that the greatest number of people possible.' - Dr Charles Rhéaume, historian, Department of National Defense, Ottawa

'As an Israeli patriot and as a philosopher, I consider it essential to integrate the discourse of Judaic anti-Zionism into the badly needed public debate about our past, present and future.' - Dr Joseph Agassi, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; Tel-Aviv University and York University, Toronto

"This book helps defuse anti-Jewish violence" --Cardianl Godfried Danneels, Primate of Belgium

About the Author

Yakov M Rabkin is Professor of History at the University of Montreal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zed Books (May 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842776991
• ISBN-13: 978-1842776995
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,589,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Foundational book about Judiasm and the state, November 1, 2006

By 

Robert Lipton "spokelse" (Orinda, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Threat from Within: A History of Jewish Opposition to Zionism (Hardcover)

This is a groundbreaking book, as an american jew, I strongly resent my religious and cultural heritage being co-opted by zionism. This book precisely lays out what is exactly at stake ---- the very heart of a jewish identity. The typical tribalist zionist is most threatened by such an analysis because this book deals in-depth, with the dirty secret of zionism, its profound antipathy toward the core jewish traditions. I have read many great and not-so-great books on the middle east, but this book is different, it places the whole zionist program in a very different light, only partially discussed in other writings, such as Original Sins: Reflections on the History of Zionism and Israel by Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi. Any too easy dismissal of this truly important book can only be considered fatuous, at best. Perhaps the most important concept to consider is that Rabkin thinks that jews have persisted over time because of values that transcend the state, nations come and go, Israel is a crude attempt to subvert this and to artificially establish a jewish state in a place and way that goes against almost all jewish values. Indeed, Rabkin asks what is the thing now that makes Israel a jewish state? Is it religion, a lifestyle, a history, a culture, etc. He answers in the negative, the thing holding it together as a state is a common place nationalist quest, not unlike any other on the planet, nothing special here and an effort doomed to ultimate failure. The last time something like this was tried, the Jewish presence in Palestine was essentially destroyed by the Romans.

Do buy this book, religious or not, zionist or not, if you are intellectually open minded, this could be a watershed for you.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Judaism and Zionism, November 21, 2007

By 

Irene Rheinwald (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Threat from Within: A History of Jewish Opposition to Zionism (Paperback)

Sifting through the complexities of the current Middle East situation, one can easily assume all Jews support the state of Israel. Not so: a deep discord has erupted between avowed Zionists advocating Israel and Jews, both secular and religious, who reject the state, albeit for very different reasons. Not everyone is aware of the desperation and suffering of the Palestinians, who now suffer at the hands of Zionists. Not Jews, but Zionists.

After the horrors of the Shoah, natural instinct lead Jewish survivors to seek safety, a land to call their own, the land promised by God. Perfectly just, perfectly reasonable, perfect in all respects.

Except for one critical issue: although Jews and Arabs had lived together in reasonable harmony for centuries there, the influx of massive numbers of Jews, replete with the support of the world (guilt for turning away?) had profound and devastating effects on the native Palestinians. The latter remember all too well the start of the "Nakba", an excruciating travesty that continues today.

But Professor Rabkin's book does not touch upon the current political and legal situation, although his perspective is clear. This book is difficult to categorize: it touches upon history, philosophy, spirituality, ethics and delves into the deepest levels of being Jewish. These are truly eschatological issues, issues that affect the Jewish soul in this realm and the next; beyond the narrower, but highly relevant, dimensions of international law and politics.

Here we see the profound difference between Zionism and Judaism from a historical and ethical aspect: Zionism, a modern offshoot, actually contradicts the essence of what it means to be a good Jew. This new schism is not based on traditional, expected lines such as Ashkenazi and Sephardic, observant and non-observant, religious and secular Jews, etc, but rather, how one regards the state of Israel in relation to oneself and God.

Professor Rabkin speaks from the orthodox perspective - in that God did not give Jews land unconditionally, to take and prosper upon. Indeed, God merely promised such land if - and only if - Jews returned to the ways of God. God, Orthodox thinking held, punished the Jews for sin, and sinning deeply. Pride, arrogance, idolatry - all resulted in exile. The Jews could only return to the land in a state of humility, kindness, peace, justice, and subservience to the laws of God, not man. Observant Jews in exile over the centuries eschewed all forms of violence, including symbolic. In humility, one finds strength; in striving to live whilst accepting one's suffering as God's will, one becomes closer to God. Job is perhaps the greatest illustration of dignified acceptance. Of course, this is rather bewildering to our modern society, which values aggression, force, materialism and pride. The Jews offended God, but will always be welcomed back into God's good graces, provided the effort is made. Jews must live peacefully among all peoples, not in their own land, according to God. God will provide the land when the Jews learn, not before, and Jews are not to take land.

And it is with force, power and ferocity that the Israelis claimed the state of Israel - devastating Palestinian land, homes, people, driving out thousands, all in the name of this 'promised land'. It is for these reasons the Orthodox reject the concept of a man-made Israel, constructed on the blood and bones of murdered Palestinians; this is against God's admonition to the Jews. Also, the more taciturn, aggressive and critical Zionists become, the more God is offended. It is interesting to note Stephen Spielberg examined the price of violence in his film "Munich".

Israel, in effect, has become the new "Golden Calf", the new idolatry.

No, Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitism; to question and/or reject the existence of Israel is not to be an Anti-Semite or a self-loathing Jew. Indeed, it seems that to oppose the state of Israel as it currently exists is the means by which one can be a better, and wiser, human being.

10 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Incomplete study, July 18, 2007

By 

Arnold Frost (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Threat from Within: A History of Jewish Opposition to Zionism (Paperback)

I found the book, reportedly to speak of Judaism and Jews as a whole sorely lacking in major areas. One was the fact that nearly all, if not all, of the voices and commentary contained in the book came from only one part of world Jewry, Ashkenaz.

The fact is that great rabbis from all over the Sephardic and Edot HaMizrach world view Zionism favourably, these voices seemed to be completely absent from the book. When the author makes arguements in the name of Judaism and selectively quotes from a small part of world Jewry, surely the nature of the book is severely compromised.

The fact is there has never been a scholar or Rabbi of repute from outside of the Ashkenazi world who has a theological problem with Zionism and the State of Israel. This stands in stark contrast to the author's views on how Judaism views Zionism. Without the views of the "other" Jews, this work shamelessly sounds out important voices to any work on religious responses to Zionism.