Zionism is Alive and Well in Jerusalem
by Yeshiva Guy
Apparently.
“There’s a hafganah tonight!”
One of my diramates is gushing (do bochurim gush? Or only women?) on and on about the huge, massive demonstration taking place near Kikar Paris to protest the building freeze set into place by the formerly hawkish government.
“So, nu, Yeshiva Guy, are you going? I hear there is some serious action going down”. I, as it happens, have already been there, but I can’t tell him that. “Do you know what it’s about,?” I question evasively. “Yeah, something about the buildings in the settlements…anyway, who cares! I hear there is some action…let’s go!”
“Nah, I’m going to sit this one out”, I tell him. His face falls. Oh well, he’ll find someone else to go with him, I think. Meanwhile, I retire to my room to do my equivalent of smoking a cigarette to think this one through. For some reason, I’m a little disturbed by this exchange. My puzzlement at this point, however, is due to the fact that I wouldn’t typically me disturbed by such a comment.
I think back to the rally/hafganah. It was amazing sight, really. Tons and tons of Jews, many of them apparently bussed in from the settlements, had gathered in the streets. The ruche was, to borrow a cliched term I never tire of hating to see, palpable. An interesting point that I noted was the age demographic- mostly younger. Which was odd, since I’d though that Zionism, or at least this type of idealistic firebrand Zionism, was a dying breed. Color me surprised.
And thinking about it made me realize; it is no wonder that I’m disturbed that my friend is going just to see the action or rioting—he doesn’t identify this kind of hafganah with anything serious.
And I realize, belatedly, that neither did I…until tonight. Hmm…food for thought.
I wonder how many of the people were there for the fun of it and not because they really were protesting whatever this was about. If I’d bet on more than half, I’m not sure I’d be so off…
(Do any of these riots really help?)
I don’t know about that. This was a Religious Zionist youth type of rally; most seemed into the cause, although there was a sense of joy in the air.
1. Why couldn’t you tell him you were there already?
2. I don’t know if the zeal of the younger generation has so much to do with Zionism as with wanting to preserve their homes. I’m also assuming that it was more of a Religious Zionist crowd, rather than an old-fashioned Zionism-without-G-d crowd? These are people who fervently believe that a Jew belongs in every inch of Eretz Yisroel, not just that Jews are a nation and should have a homeland.
3. Halfshared: I disagree. Most people who bother participating are probably earnest and sincere. This wasn’t a riot (I don’t think). Don’t think Intel protests here. Different type of situation (I think).
1. Technically, it would be slightly (or not so slightly) frowned upon in the extreme right-wing circles.
2. Right. More Religious types. Perhaps the homes part, too.
3. True, not like the Intel protests, although I did hear some things got a little dicey toward the end.
1. True, but isn’t this a friend who asked?