Israeli Right's 'Redemption' Vision Contrasted With Rambam's Definition
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
The article critiques the Israeli right-wing's concept of "redemption," contrasting it with the definition provided by the Rambam. It highlights recent violent incidents in the West Bank and questions the lack of public outcry from religious leaders. The author argues that instead of redemption, the country has experienced war and hardship. The Rambam's definition of redemption involves practical achievements like rebuilding the Temple and ingathering exiles, not necessarily supernatural events. The piece criticizes current political figures and parties for failing to meet these criteria and for lacking a clear, actionable definition of redemption.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Recent Saturdays saw violent incidents in the West Bank, including attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters.
- No prominent rabbis or religious parties have publicly condemned the alleged Sabbath desecration or related violence.
- The article questions the right-wing coalition's "redemption" promises, citing war and hardship instead.
- The Rambam defined redemption as a future state of national repair achieved through practical actions and leadership.
- Current political figures and parties are criticized for not meeting the Rambam's criteria for the messiah.
- The author argues that violence in the territories hinders, rather than advances, any concept of redemption.
Recent Saturdays have seen a surge in violent incidents in the West Bank, including attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters, crop theft, and property damage, particularly around Ramallah. Reports indicate injuries among harvesters and blocked access to agricultural lands, alongside the confiscation of produce and equipment. Palestinian raids and arrests also occurred across the West Bank. Despite these events, no prominent rabbis or religious parties have publicly decried the alleged desecration of the Sabbath or threatened the government over it. The article questions the "redemption" promised by right-wing coalition parties, arguing that after four years, instead of the expected victory, rebuilding the Temple, and national-spiritual renewal, the reality has been war, abandoned hostages, economic hardship, and societal division.
The author contrasts this with the definition of redemption according to the Rambam (Maimonides), a 12th-century Jewish legal authority. The Rambam described redemption as a future state of national and spiritual repair for the Jewish people, achieved within the current world order under the leadership of a messiah. This includes the restoration of the Davidic monarchy, the rebuilding of the Temple, the ingathering of exiles, and the full observance of Torah and commandments. The Rambam emphasized that natural laws would not necessarily change, but rather the subjugation of nations would end, allowing for uninterrupted study of Torah. He outlined a gradual process for identifying the messiah, based on actions and practical success, not just charisma or miracles.
The article criticizes current political figures and parties, stating that neither Benjamin Netanyahu, Ofer Winter, Bezalel Smotrich, nor Rabbi Dov Lando fit the Rambam's criteria for the messiah. It argues that the violence in the territories is counterproductive to any notion of redemption, alienating the world and pushing such a utopian vision further away. While some religious parties adhere to a traditional view of redemption as a divine, future event, others, like the Religious Zionism party, see the State of Israel as a step in a redemptive process. However, the article contends that these parties lack clear definitions of redemption and often focus on securing budgets and maintaining their way of life rather than actively advancing a tangible redemptive process.
The author questions whether the current political discourse and actions, including the violence in the territories and the perceived disregard for individual rights, align with the Rambam's vision of redemption, which emphasizes practical achievements, justice, peace, and the possibility of spiritual life within the existing world order. The piece concludes by suggesting that the current political figures discussing "redemption" lack a clear understanding of its meaning, contrasting their rhetoric with the Rambam's grounded, action-oriented definition.