A critic from within: Rav Shagar and the renewal of Religious Zionism

• In Event: New trends in Religious Zionist philosophy and practice

Abstract

Rav Shagar (Shimon Gershon Rosenberg) was an unusual rabbi and thinker, he passed away in 2007, he is mostly known for his philosophical ideas, and his unique approach to post-modernism. However, he also presented a new vision about Religious Zionism, and described in depth the changes and developments this sector should adopt.

Though being a proud member of Religious Zionism, Rav Shagar criticized his own people, and challenged its basic principles. He described the rigid ideology, strict nationalism, and even aggressiveness which appeared sometimes in Religious Zionism and offered a way for change.

His views of softer idealism and nationalism strived to create a different environment and culture, which could enable a better handling of the political, spiritual, and educational challenges Religious Zionism faces.
His Religious Zionists visions cannot be separated from his post-modern philosophical approaches. The post-modern subjectivity and relativity of ideology are part of the basis for his ideas, which he described in a religious-Kabbalistic terminology. This paper presents the social, and even political, implications of his philosophy.

This paper examines both his criticism and suggestions about the future of Religious Zionism and claims that though he should not be titled as post-Zionist, Rav Shagar’s approach is definitely presenting a new definition of Zionism. In his view universalism is added to a strong nationalism, and a deep connection to the land and the country do not contradict a positive view of the exile, as an essential part of the Zionist worldview.

In addition to the theoretical examination of his writings and comparing them to other approaches in current Religious Zionism, I will seek to explore the actual relevancy of his ideas in present-day Israel. I will suggest that Rav Shagar visions might fit the current philosophical perceptions, but, the directions Religious Zionism is taking nowadays, which were partly described by Rav Shagar, are not getting it closer to the changes he called for.

Author

• Shlomo Abramovich, University of Nebraska - Lincoln