The book explores the complexities of Israeli identity through historical narratives, including the challenges posed by crusaders and Canaanites. It introduces a new meta-narrative called Mediterraneanism, which offers a fresh perspective on the cultural and historical influences shaping Israeli identity. This examination delves into the interplay of history, identity, and regional dynamics, providing insights into how these elements converge in contemporary Israel.
The book presents a novel theory of fascism, framing it as a radical political community shaped by shared experiences. It explores how collective identity and emotional connections contribute to the formation of such communities, offering insights into the dynamics of fascism beyond traditional definitions. By analyzing the interplay of personal and political dimensions, the author seeks to deepen the understanding of fascism's appeal and its impact on society.
Exploring the intersection of messianism and Zionist ideology, this book delves into how messianic beliefs have influenced Israeli identity from the movement's inception to the present day. It argues that messianism transcends religious or philosophical concepts, functioning as a significant political force that has actively shaped the nation’s development and identity.
Exploring the concept of the Israeli "homeland" (moledet), this book features insights from prominent Israeli intellectuals, including Boaz Evron, Menachem Brinker, and Jacqueline Kahanoff. It weaves together perspectives from multiple academic disciplines to address the essence and significance of the Israeli homeland, offering a rich tapestry of thought on this complex topic.
The book delves into the evolution of modern thought, tracing the philosophical journey from Rousseau to Foucault. It emphasizes the underlying Promethean drive within Western civilization, highlighting humanity's relentless quest to redefine itself and its environment. Rather than seeking enlightenment, the narrative focuses on the transformative passions that have shaped modernity, offering a critical examination of the interplay between individual agency and societal development.
The book explores the formation of Zionism through its opposition to the Canaanite and crusader narratives, which challenge Israeli-Jewish identity. The Canaanite perspective asserts a deep-rooted connection to the land, while the crusader view positions Israel as a Western colonial entity. These contrasting narratives highlight the existential dilemmas faced by Zionism. By delving into the intellectual underpinnings of Israeli mythology, the work aims to uncover how these narratives shape the understanding of Israel's identity and historical continuity.
Jacqueline Kahanoff's life as an Egyptian-Jewish intellectual unfolds against a backdrop of a vibrant, multicultural Middle East in the 1920s and 1930s. After immigrating to the U.S. at twenty-four and later to Israel, she challenged provincialism and ethnic nationalism, advocating for a transnational Levantine culture. Her writings reflect a deep engagement with identity, crossing boundaries of culture and social class. David Ohana's biography draws from diverse sources to illuminate Kahanoff's vision of a multicultural, Mediterranean Israel, highlighting her lasting impact on cultural discourse.
Focusing on the influence of Friedrich Nietzsche, this book examines how his ideas shaped Jewish Political Theology in the early twentieth century. It delves into the responses of early Jewish intellectuals as they confronted Nietzsche's notions of politics, morality, and religion, ultimately contributing to the development of a modern Jewish cultural identity. Through this exploration, the text highlights the complex interplay between Nietzsche's philosophy and Jewish thought during a transformative period.
"The historian Jacob L. Talmon (1916-1980) was chosen by an international committee of scholars as one of the major historians of the twentieth century. It declared that "his historiography was a convincing apologia for human freedom." Talmon owes his fame to his magnum opus, the trilogy that began with The Origins of Totalitarian Democracy (1952), continued with Political Messianism (1960) and concluded with The Myth of the Nation and the Vision of Revolution (1981). These works have been translated into many languages and have influenced many statesmen and intellectuals. Talmon's Mission and Testimony focuses on the destiny of the Jewish people and the State of Israel in the modern era. Part I, "The Nature of Jewish History", deals with the Jewish presence in history, the universal significance of Jewish history, and the impact of Jewish intellectuals. Part II, "From Anti-Semitism to the Holocaust", concerns the anti-Semitic climate of opinion that led to the Holocaust. Part III, "Israel between War and Peace", discusses the regional and global situation of the State of Israel. In Part IV, "Intellectual and Political Debates", Talmon confronts intellectuals and statesmen such as Arnold Toynbee and Menachem Begin. Part V, "Profiles in History", depicts the intellectual portraits of the historian Lewis Namier and the physicist and champion of human rights Andrei Sakharov. Isaiah Berlin, in his "Tribute to a Friend", wrote about Talmon--Provided by publisher
