Resources and Articles by Asher (Ahad Ha'am) Ginzberg
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Ginzberg,
Asher (Ahad Ha'am)
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Ahad Ha-am (Pen name of Asher Ginsberg) (1856 - 1927)
Born in Skvira, near Kiev in the Ukraine, Asher Ginsberg became the central figure in the movement for Cultural Zionism. Although raised in a hasidic family, Ahad Ha-am was soon exposed to secular studies. The impact of modern philosophy and the sciences led him to abandon his religious faith and observance. Nonetheless he remained deeply committed to the Jewish people. It was his attempt to find a synthesis between Judaism and European philosophy.
He joined the Hovevei Zion Movement but he soon became a severe critic of its settlement activities prefering instead cultural work for a Jewish regeneration. He established the elitist Bnei Moshe, a secret society of sorts which he proposed should focus on transforming the Hovevei Zion group into a movement for the Hebrew language and cultural revival.
His visits to Eretz-Israel in 1891 and 1892 convinced him that the Zionist movement would face an uphill struggle in its attempt to create a Jewish National Home. In particular he warned of the difficulties associated with land purchase and cultivation, the problems with the Turkish authorities and the impending conflict with the Arabs. He criticised Herzl for his quasi-messianic schemes and warned of the disillusionment that would follow Herzl's failure.
Ahad Ha-am believed that the creation in Eretz-Israel of a Jewish cultural center would act to reinforce Jewish life in the Diaspora. His hope was that in this center a new Jewish national identity based on Jewish ethics and values might resolve the crisis of Judaism.
Ahad Ha-am influenced a generation of young Zionists, most particularly in Eastern Europe that included Haim Nahman Bialik, Chaim Weizmann, and Micha Josef Berdyczewski. Although he moved to London in 1907 to serve as the agent for the Wissotzky tea company, he continued his Zionist work, playing a part in the securing of the Balfour Declaration. In 1922, he arrived in Eretz-Israel to spend the last five years of his life in Tel-Aviv.
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Pinsker and his Brochure:
An Open Letter to My Brethren in the Spirit
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Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionism
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Essential Zionist Texts
Love of Zion - the struggle to establish a Jewish state with Jewish values:
Jewish State and Jewish Problem
Yet, after all, I confess that Western "Zionism" is very good and useful for those Western Jews who have long since almost forgotten Judaism, and have no link with their people except a vague sentiment which they themselves do not understand. I The establishment of a Jewish State by their agency is at present but a distant vision; but the idea of a State induces them meanwhile to devote their energies to the service of their people, lifts them out of the mire of assimilation, and strengthens their Jewish national consciousness.
[Full
article...]
Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Love of Zion - the struggle to establish a Jewish state with Jewish values:
Jewish State and Jewish Problem - part 2
Yet, after all, I confess that Western "Zionism" is very good and useful for those Western Jews who have long since almost forgotten Judaism, and have no link with their people except a vague sentiment which they themselves do not understand. I The establishment of a Jewish State by their agency is at present but a distant vision; but the idea of a State induces them meanwhile to devote their energies to the service of their people, lifts them out of the mire of assimilation, and strengthens their Jewish national consciousness.
[Full
article...]
Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionistic thoughts:
Anticipations and Survivals - Part 3
Students of jurisprudence know (and who knows so well as the Jew?) that the laws and statutes of every nation are not all observed and obeyed at all times in the same degree; that in all countries and in all ages there are certain laws, be they new or old, which are perfectly valid according to the statue book, and are yet disregarded by those who administer justice, and are wholly or largely ineffective in practice.
[Full
article...]
Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionistic thoughts:
Anticipations and Survivals - Part 1
Students of jurisprudence know (and who knows so well as the Jew?) that the laws and statutes of every nation are not all observed and obeyed at all times in the same degree; that in all countries and in all ages there are certain laws, be they new or old, which are perfectly valid according to the statue book, and are yet disregarded by those who administer justice, and are wholly or largely ineffective in practice.
[Full
article...]
Jewish History
>
1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionistic thoughts:
Anticipations and Survivals - Part 2
Students of jurisprudence know (and who knows so well as the Jew?) that the laws and statutes of every nation are not all observed and obeyed at all times in the same degree; that in all countries and in all ages there are certain laws, be they new or old, which are perfectly valid according to the statue book, and are yet disregarded by those who administer justice, and are wholly or largely ineffective in practice.
[Full
article...]
Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
Zionistic text:
The Wrong Way
For many centuries the Jewish people, sunk in poverty and degradation, has been sustained by faith and hope in the divine mercy. The present generation has seen the birth of a new and far-reaching idea, which promises to bring down our faith and hope from heaven, and transform both into living and active forces, making our land the goal of hope, and our people the anchor of faith.
[Full
article...]
Jewish History
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
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