Question 1

Why is reappropriation of the Jewish identity critical to the survival of the State of Israel?

Accepted Answer

Zionism is threatened by the fusion of messianic, nationalist, and ultra-Orthodox forces that are playing on an empty identity field. The religious orthodoxy has caused the alienation of secular Jews from their cultural heritage, which further exacerbates the process of polarization.

Zionism, built by the Jewish Enlightenment movement, was founded on values of wisdom and faith in humanity, and saw democracy as a natural Jewish interest. The founders envisioned it this way, and so they formulated the Declaration of Independence. The minority of messianic, nationalist, and ultra-Orthodox groups, who believe in Jewish supremacy and/or a theocratic state, is leading Israel down a path that undermines its fundamental values and destroys it. We must rise to the challenge, not be passive, take back our Judaism, and block the cycle of alienation and polarization.

Question 2

In what do Humanist - secularists believe?

Accepted Answer

Secular Humanists are people who believe - in man.

Secular Humanists believe in man, nature and the communal good

The roots of secularism in the monotheistic and rationalistic views of medieval religions - which shifted the attention to man and his intellect, instead of the authority of the mediating religious establishment. In different ways - the concept of God has been interpreted in the philosophical field of truth as existing or "whole" beyond human imperfection.

In fact, views in this spirit are also prominent in Islam, also in Christian-Protestant currents, and of course in the spirit of the prophets of Israel - mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.

Therefore, the concept of "God" is not foreign to the secular - and it can even be said that thanks to monotheism, educated and secular beliefs have developed. Today's secular currents - in the West - are a continuation of educational movements in past cultures. The Muslim Enlightenment and the Enlightenment of Europe whose Jewish version was called the "Enlightenment Movement".

Secular views are based on the assumption that each person creates his own culture and is at least influenced by it and sometimes also by other cultures. Secularists believe that Judaism is also a rich and multifaceted culture. Like every culture, Judaism is also special and therefore the secular ideas that have developed in the Jewish world - are Jewish. Just as French secularism is French.

Nature in a secular world

Secular morality

The cultural action that includes stories, songs, dialogue and symbolic representations of all this (rituals for example) shapes "good" that is apparently relative to that community, but a humanistic view at the foundation of secularism balances this relativity with recognition of the universal dimension of man.

The concepts "nature" or "man" (that is, "truth" or "whole morality") are nothing but concepts of a complete horizon - universal and sublime, to which man strives, but in view of the imperfection of the human mind, one should not expect that someone has all the truth in his pocket. This is the basis for the skepticism that accompanies the secular view, and hence also for measured pluralism, according to which it is appropriate to listen to someone different from me, and it is precisely the dialogue that enables progress towards the truth on the horizon.

Secular views assume that man can know something, therefore may recognize the better action, regardless of worship or external authority imposing it on him. An attitude in this spirit was expressed by the author of the story of Cain and Abel - when God himself says to Cain: "Woe to you if you do good and if you do not do good you will open the sin of slavery and you will be tempted by him" (Genesis 4:7), that is, even if you excel in worship (you do good ) is not it Related to your ability, and inner necessity to "govern" your sins.

Prominent thinkers such as Aristotle in his time, or Zambatista Vico and many after them in modern times emphasized the importance of the social-cultural context - through which man knows the world and shapes his path and values, but also being a man - is given meaning in every local culture.

This is the essence of the tension between the local culture, and between the universal human values that accompanies every modern secular community. in the west at least. It is important to remember that every universal value requires some local culture to speak it. Tell it her way.

Question 3

What distinguishes the humanist seculars who are Jewish?

Accepted Answer

Jewish secularists, who are part of the broader Jewish community, draw from the rich traditions of Judaism that contributed to their education and secularization. Notable thinkers such as Rambam, Spinoza, Shlomo Maimon, Nachman Krochmal, and others played a significant role in shaping the spiritual outlook of the Enlightenment movement and Jewish secularism. These intellectuals collaborated with prominent thinkers from Greek philosophy, the Muslim Enlightenment, and the broader Enlightenment movement.

Through these influential thinkers, the best of Jewish thought was reinterpreted for modernity, often adopting a liberal-spiritual or cultural nationalist perspective (considered religious in the US context). Many secular thinkers and cultural innovators view themselves as continuing the central Jewish path of reason and morality, finding inspiration in the Israeli tradition.

Question 4

Morality without God - who decides what is moral?

Accepted Answer

A Humanist - secular approach assumes that man is rational - that is, he can strive for the truth and shape goodness and morality in his community. Secular views were born in connection with rationalist approaches that assume intelligence in the world and in man. From this it is possible to think that morality is a conclusion or a general goal that the person can strive for with his own mind, according to his reason. It is important to say that such morality is still sublime from man, but is always open to progress, unlike approaches that favor fate, predestination or external revelation. And this is just the beginning.

WE are the Judaism of the declaration of independence

מהי היהדות של מגילת העצמאות?

מפגש 1 - מבוא- תחנות במחשבה החילונית

תחנות במחשבה החילונית- סדרות עיון ושיח. מצטרפים עכשיו

מפגש 2 - תחנות במחשבה החילונית - אפיקורוס ואפיקורסים

מפגש 3: פילון האלכסנדרוני - תחנות במחשבה החילונית

מפגש 4 פלוטינוס - תחנות במחשבה החילונית

מפגש 5 - אבן עזרא. תחנות במחשבה החילונית

מפגש 6: משנת רמב"ם - תחנות במחשבה החילונית עם ד"ר אורן יהי-שלום

מפגש 7 - תחנות במחשבה החילונית: רמב"ם לעומק סודות מורה הנבוכים