Zionism

Torah Jewry has never ever recognized the Zionist state. Since the Zionists succeeding in establishing their state, Torah Jewry has continuously announced to the world that the Zionists do not represent the Jewish people, and that the name "Israel" that they use is a forgery. For it is forbidden to us from the Torah to rebel against the nations, and all sovereignty by us is prohibited. Rather, we await the days when all the world will recognize the sovereignty of the Creator, and the words of the prophet Isaiah will yet be fulfilled:

"And they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. No nation will lift its sword against any other, nor will they learn warfare anymore."

-- www.JewsagainstZionism.com

Zionism is, by definition, the idea that Jews should live in Israel (Zion meaning either Jerusalem or Israel). It is an age-old idea (the first real Zionist Activists only really started to gather during the middle of the 19th century, though), which can trace its roots to the Great Rebellion, c. AD 70, after which most of the Jews left Israel. rk2001's claim of Zionism being practiced only by the bad, evil Jews - who didn't like the idea of God - is wrong. There were plenty of religious Jews in the First Zionist Congress. True, most Orthodox Jews of that day believed that an attempt to come back to Israel should only start after a sign from God, but there were many who thought that founding a Jewish State in the Land of Israel is the tchalta de'geula - the beginning of salvation; that God will only do his part after he sees the efforts of his people. The many religious Jews who live in Israel, and are very active in the political scene, prove my point.

Furthermore, there is no one true Judaism, and "law abiding righteous Jews" from one sect may not appear so to another (for example, most Orthodox Jews consider Reform Judaism an abominition, and that such Jews are worse than the Godless Jews who are following their materialistic desires).

Although Zionism and Jewish religious observance have been at odds with each other, this may be because many early Zionists felt oppressed by the orthodoxy of some Jewish teachings. The encouragement to reject the "old way" of thinking led some Jews to begin the practice of eating bacon on Yom Kippur (for those who don't know, pigs aren't kosher), a highly symbolic rejection of Jewish traditions and beliefs.

In addition, statements and positions of the more militant factions of the Zionist movement have led to the belief that Zionists in general are fascist, that they support the subjugation of other peoples, or even the obliteration of the Arab/Palestinian people. I would say, however, at this point it is the religious, Orthodox Jews who are more likely to oppose the current peace process.

There are many movements which, although Zionist, continue to follow Jewish religious traditions and which also vehemently oppose fascist "Zionist" factions. Habonim Dror is one such example.

Zi"on*ism (?), n. [Zion + - ism.]

Among the Jews, a theory, plan, or movement for colonizing their own race in Palestine, the land of Zion, or, if that is impracticable, elsewhere, either for religious or nationalizing purposes; -- called also Zion movement. -- Zi"on*ist, n. -- Zi`on*is"tic (#), a.

© Webster 1913.