The Root of Zionism: Vayelech

If one sought out Zionism’s origins, they would be dismissive not to consider the Hebrew Bible as the authoritative source.

Further scoping in on the topic, one would turn to the Torah and go to the Torah Portion Vayelech. There, they would discover how the Pentateuch explains how Zionism is a feature of Judaism.

For who do their searching online, the results may be quite different. Many would find that Zionism is a political movement coming out of the late 1800’s. This movement was movement spearheaded by Theodor Herzl who was inspired as a result France’s Dreyfuss affair. Dreyfuss was a Jewish French military officer who was accused of selling military secrets to the Germans. References to the modern movement, however, discount that scripture is Zionism’s source.

The Torah Section Vayelech

The Portion Vayelech comes at a time before the Children of Israel was to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Vayelech is a Torah Portion which is addressing the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. The portion has Moses addressing the fledgling nation:

“And it will be, when all these things, the blessing and the curse that I’ve put in front of you, will come upon you, you’ll store it in your heart among the nations to which the Lord, your God, has driven you, and you’ll come back to the Lord, your God, and listen to His voice, according to everything that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the Lord, your God, will bring back your captivity and be merciful to you.

And He’ll come back and gather you from all the peoples to which the Lord, your God, has scattered you. If you’ll be driven to the end of the skies, the Lord, your God, will gather you from there, and He’ll take you from there. And the Lord, your God, will bring you to the land that your fathers possessed, and you’ll take possession of it, and He’ll be good to you and multiply you more than your fathers.” Deuteronomy 30:1-5 [emphasis added]

From this, it is demonstrably clear that there is the scriptural belief that the Jewish People would return to their homeland.

Religious Zionism: Mission Accomplished?

Within the Zionism itself, one can easily see how there can be differing opinions. Some can take the position that the gathering involves requires divine action. On the other hand, one can argue that there is nothing that prohibits an individual from taking it upon themselves to voluntarily return to their land.

Thus, one can see how there may be some dispute, in a religious sense, as to the meaning of the Modern State of Israel.

Regardless of any interpretation, the Torah expresses Zionism.

Conclusion

The Torah Portion Vayelech presents as a defining scriptural source for Zionism. Vayelech clearly displays that Zionism is religious principle in Judaism as opposed to a political matter. Thus, the various reference materials which pose Zionism as purely a political movement of the late 1800’s are inaccurate.

Zionism, however, is a complex topic. Even among Jewish people there are disparate opinions as to how it relates to the Modern State of Israel. Despite these differences, it is indisputable that Zionism is a principle of Judaism. It is one which expresses the believe that the Jewish people’s return to their homeland.

Be well!!

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