Israeli Professor Advocates Tree Planting and Wisdom Books to Combat Social Alienation
Professor Miron H. Izakson, a literature scholar at Bar-Ilan University, highlights social alienation as Israel's most troubling societal issue, warning it can lead individuals to feel estranged from their homeland or even leave it. He traces the concept of alienation to the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers, emphasizing that alienation arises only from prior close relationships that become denied or severed. Izakson notes that alienation often stems from bitter personal feelings and external influences, including dominant family members or political leaders who foster division to solidify group identity.
In light of the approaching Tisha B’Av fast, Izakson proposes targeted "anti-alienation" measures rather than broad calls for unity. He stresses the symbolic and emotional power of planting trees and cultivating the land as a way to reconnect Israelis to their country and to each other. He recounts participating in planting a vineyard in the Golan Heights in memory of Captain Shahar Gamla, a fallen soldier whose family embodies a lifestyle rejecting alienation through faith, military service, agriculture, and education.
Izakson also highlights the release of two new books by rabbis Tamir Granot and Itamar Eldar, heads of the Orot Shaul Hesder Yeshiva in Tel Aviv. Granot’s book, "On the Edge of the Covenant," addresses Israel’s social fractures by proposing a shared language to foster mutual understanding rather than simplistic solutions. Eldar’s book, "In the Secret of the Sefirot," explores Kabbalistic teachings focused on personal and societal repair, aiming to engage a broad audience in spiritual reflection.
The professor argues that these practical and intellectual efforts, tree planting and accessible wisdom literature, serve as direct remedies to reduce alienation and promote involvement and empathy within Israeli society. He concludes that overcoming alienation is essential for the healthy flow of life in Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
