Without power, Jews are at the mercy of history. Zionism, the movement for Jewish self-determination, is also about power. With power, Jews are better equipped to determine their own destiny. Jewish power has empowered the Jewish people to establish the state of Israel, which in turn has led to a cultural renaissance, the rebirth of Hebrew language and literature, and a flowering of Torah learning. The challenge to Israel, as to any sovereign state, is the proper use of power. It means public accountability and not being corrupted by power. In military operations, it means making a serious attempt to maintain the "purity of arms" (tohar haneshek).
In a recent column in The Washington Post, Harvard professor Ruth Wisse, author of Jews and Power, argues that when made powerless after the exile of 70 CE, Jews followed a strategy of accomodation which allowed them to maintain their institutions and way of life, without the means to protect their achievements. Wisse, a conservative, implies that most American Jews are liberals who feel most comfortable following a strategy of accomodation. I'm not convinced that this is the reason behind American Jewish liberalism, but I do think that many Jews are made uncomfortable by the idea and use of Jewish power.
In a recent column in The Washington Post, Harvard professor Ruth Wisse, author of Jews and Power, argues that when made powerless after the exile of 70 CE, Jews followed a strategy of accomodation which allowed them to maintain their institutions and way of life, without the means to protect their achievements. Wisse, a conservative, implies that most American Jews are liberals who feel most comfortable following a strategy of accomodation. I'm not convinced that this is the reason behind American Jewish liberalism, but I do think that many Jews are made uncomfortable by the idea and use of Jewish power.
Zionism is about being comfortable with the wise use of Jewish power...
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