Universal Religious Zionism

 Tzionut Datit Olamit | ציונות דתית עולמית

Advancing the Next Stage of Religious Zionism: Drawing on Rav Kook's Blueprint

Religious Zionism has completed its initial developmental stage by successfully integrating Orthodox and National values.
Now it is time for the second stage –
integrating universal values into Religious Zionism – through:
 *Unearthing   the sparks of holiness from all phenomena of contemporary life.
 *Incorporating  the finest contributions of global culture and universal human values into Judaism.

I. THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS

Expanding the concept of Maschiah Ben Yosef and Maschiah Ben David –
the  Three Messiahs :
–  Saul , a symbol of secular Zionism;
–  David , a symbol of modern Religious Zionism;
–  Solomon , ​a symbol of Universal Religious Zionism ,
to be developed by the entire Jewish people.

 Content: 

• Introduction

• Modern perspective on stages of the messianic process

• Religious Zionists’ reconceptualization of the messianic process

• Where are we now?

• The Reign of Saul (MBY): normalization and security of the nation

• The Reign of David: spiritual revival of the nation

• The Reign of Solomon (MBD): universal appeal to humanity

• The three kings and the relationships between them

• The three stages in development of the Kingdom of Israel and their connection to the ongoing Geula in modern Israel

• Two levels: real politics and future goals

• Three factions within the Jewish people

• Integration of universal human values

• Longing for the Temple

• In conclusion: what is to be done

II. IDEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES

 Content: 

• 1. Why is it needed and what I propose to do

• 2. Choice of name: R. Kook’s terminology

• 3. Basic principles of Universal Religious Zionism (URZ)

• 4. Additional principles

• 5. The place of the olamiyut ideology in the development of Judaism and of the State of Israel

• 6. Problems of integrating universal values that appear to contradict the Torah: how to extract and integrate the spark after removing its shell

• 7. Systematic approach to value integration

• 8. Balance of values in the presence of contradictions

• 9. Two groups of universal values containing sparks to be integrated

• 10. Tools to help in the analysis of universal values

 Group A: Indisputable Values 

11. Science and technology, the physical transformation of the world
12. Critical thinking, the value of doubt, disagreement, and conflict
13. The importance of ethical feeling, even when it contradicts the law
14. Art, creativity of all kinds, self-realization, creative drive, beauty, esthetics in everyday life, clean streets, “to live in purity and beauty”
15. Taking responsibility for oneself instead of shifting it to others
16. Travel, versatile education
17. Play and game
18. The balance between egoism and altruism, the Divine aspect of economic success

 Group B: Disputed values 

19. Feminism
20. Vegetarianism
21. Ecology
22. Ideals precede commandments
23. The value of freedom and the weakening of religious coercion
24. Free and responsible individuals making their own decisions and taking responsibility for them, as opposed to simply obeying the authorities
25. Tolerance for the opinions of others, rejection of fanaticism
26. The value of the process of development, change, and evolution
27. Democracy
28. Human rights, protection from the State, overcoming centrality of the State
29. Brotherhood at the national level
30. Universality and appeal to all mankind
31. The value of the diversity of national and religious cultures worldwide
32. Interreligious dialogue, first of all with Christianity

ACTION PLAN

​1.  Establish  a dedicated think tank to deliberate on and develop this project.
2.  Discuss  each value: more precisely identify the ‘sparks’ and their ‘shells’.
3.  Develop  educational courses and promote them within both secular and religious Zionist communities.

​Please send your comments to Pinchas Polonsky at: ppolonsky@gmail.com

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