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Samson
A reissue of a novel previously published as Judge and Fool and as Prelude to Delilah. Jabotinsky chose the biblical character Samson to demonstrate that individual courage can have a positive impact on the security of the entire Jewish people. Jabotinsky was a founder of the Haganah, head of the New World Zionist Organization, and an important influence on Menachem Begin.
348 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1986
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About the author
Vladimir Jabotinsky
72 books11 followersZe'ev (Vladimir) Jabotinsky (זאב ז'בוטינסקי) was born Vladimir Yevgenyevich (Yevnovich) Zhabotinsky in Odessa, Russian Empire (modern Ukraine) into an assimilated Jewish family. His father, Yevno (Yevgeniy Grigoryevich) Zhabotinsky, hailed from Nikopol, Ukraine. He was a member of the Russian Society of Sailing and Trade and was primarily involved in wheat trading. His mother, Chava (Eva Markovna) Zach (1835–1926), came from Berdychiv. Jabotinsky's older brother (Myron) died in childhood. His sister, Tereza (Tamara Yevgenyevna) Zhabotinskaya-Kopp, founded a private, female secondary school in Odessa. In 1885 the family moved to Germany due to his father's illness, returning a year later after his father's death.
Raised in a Jewish middle-class home, Jabotinsky was educated in Russian schools. Although he studied Hebrew as a child, he wrote in his autobiography that his upbringing was divorced from Jewish faith and tradition. Chava Zhabotinskaya opened a store in Odessa selling stationery, and enrolled young Vladimir in the city's gymnasium. Jabotinsky did not finish school, having become involved in journalism. In 1896 he began writing articles for a major local Russian newspaper, the Odessa Leaflet, and was sent to Italy and Switzerland as a correspondent. He also worked with the Odessa News. Jabotinsky was a childhood friend of Russian journalist and poet Korney Chukovsky, and attended Chukovsky's 1903 wedding to Maria Goldfeld.
Jabotinsky wrote under the pseudonym "Altalena" ("swing" in Italian)(also "Old Italian" in Yiddish). His dispatches from Italy earned him recognition as an up-and-coming Russian-language journalist. He was a student at the Sapienza University of Rome law school, but did not graduate. In the summer of 1901 he returned to Odessa and began working as a journalist at the newspaper Odessa's News (Russian: Одесские новости). Later he edited newspapers in Russian and Hebrew.
He married Yohana Galperina in October 1907. They had one child, Eri Jabotinsky, who later became a member of the Irgun-inspired Bergson Group. Eri Jabotinsky briefly served in the 1st Knesset of Israel; he died on June 6, 1969.
Raised in a Jewish middle-class home, Jabotinsky was educated in Russian schools. Although he studied Hebrew as a child, he wrote in his autobiography that his upbringing was divorced from Jewish faith and tradition. Chava Zhabotinskaya opened a store in Odessa selling stationery, and enrolled young Vladimir in the city's gymnasium. Jabotinsky did not finish school, having become involved in journalism. In 1896 he began writing articles for a major local Russian newspaper, the Odessa Leaflet, and was sent to Italy and Switzerland as a correspondent. He also worked with the Odessa News. Jabotinsky was a childhood friend of Russian journalist and poet Korney Chukovsky, and attended Chukovsky's 1903 wedding to Maria Goldfeld.
Jabotinsky wrote under the pseudonym "Altalena" ("swing" in Italian)(also "Old Italian" in Yiddish). His dispatches from Italy earned him recognition as an up-and-coming Russian-language journalist. He was a student at the Sapienza University of Rome law school, but did not graduate. In the summer of 1901 he returned to Odessa and began working as a journalist at the newspaper Odessa's News (Russian: Одесские новости). Later he edited newspapers in Russian and Hebrew.
He married Yohana Galperina in October 1907. They had one child, Eri Jabotinsky, who later became a member of the Irgun-inspired Bergson Group. Eri Jabotinsky briefly served in the 1st Knesset of Israel; he died on June 6, 1969.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 21, 2019
Samson , who'se legendary exploits can be found in Judges (13-16) has been an inspiration to writers, poets and artists for centuries.
In the Land of Israel, 1000 BCE , the Israelites are ruled by the Phillistines.
Budding Israelite revolutionary Samson wants to marry Semadar , a Phillistine , though it is her younger sister Elinoar , who really wants Samson. After his marriage to Semadar , he is estranged from his wife , who he believes has betrayed him by revealing the riddle that he asked the Phillistines.
After a few months , he comes back to claim his wife , but her father has married her to someone else.
This sparks Samson's rage , and in the ensuing fight , the Phillistines murder Semadar and her father , and Samson becomes a hunted man. Samson ,scorning Elinoar, becomes a guerilla and a respected judge among his people, striking fear into the hearts of the Phillistines , enemies of the Israelites.
But Elinoar , now re-emerges as Delilah , captures Samsons heart , discovers his weakness and betrays him to the Phillistines.
Samson is blinded by the Phillistines who use him for sport. Several years later, as a captive of the Phillistines, he regains his strength , and takes revenge , killing thousands of Phillistines , together with himself.
Ze'ev Jabotinsky , Zionist leader , writer, philosopher and educator , adapts this story of Samson , in this brilliant novel , first written in 1927.
It made a great impact on Jewish youth of the time , and especially on member's of Jabotinsky's Betar Movement.
It inspired many later works on the story of Samson and Delilah , including the 1949 Cecil B. DeMille Paramount film starring Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature.
Jabotinsky , a genius and visionary , used this novel to communicate his thoughts on the issued facing the Jewish people at the time , and the coming fight of the Jewish Nation , for freedom and survival.
The immortal message of Samson to the Israelite people before his death , rings out to the people of Israel and world Jewry today : " Collect iron , choose a king , and learn to laugh".
In the Land of Israel, 1000 BCE , the Israelites are ruled by the Phillistines.
Budding Israelite revolutionary Samson wants to marry Semadar , a Phillistine , though it is her younger sister Elinoar , who really wants Samson. After his marriage to Semadar , he is estranged from his wife , who he believes has betrayed him by revealing the riddle that he asked the Phillistines.
After a few months , he comes back to claim his wife , but her father has married her to someone else.
This sparks Samson's rage , and in the ensuing fight , the Phillistines murder Semadar and her father , and Samson becomes a hunted man. Samson ,scorning Elinoar, becomes a guerilla and a respected judge among his people, striking fear into the hearts of the Phillistines , enemies of the Israelites.
But Elinoar , now re-emerges as Delilah , captures Samsons heart , discovers his weakness and betrays him to the Phillistines.
Samson is blinded by the Phillistines who use him for sport. Several years later, as a captive of the Phillistines, he regains his strength , and takes revenge , killing thousands of Phillistines , together with himself.
Ze'ev Jabotinsky , Zionist leader , writer, philosopher and educator , adapts this story of Samson , in this brilliant novel , first written in 1927.
It made a great impact on Jewish youth of the time , and especially on member's of Jabotinsky's Betar Movement.
It inspired many later works on the story of Samson and Delilah , including the 1949 Cecil B. DeMille Paramount film starring Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature.
Jabotinsky , a genius and visionary , used this novel to communicate his thoughts on the issued facing the Jewish people at the time , and the coming fight of the Jewish Nation , for freedom and survival.
The immortal message of Samson to the Israelite people before his death , rings out to the people of Israel and world Jewry today : " Collect iron , choose a king , and learn to laugh".
November 5, 2016
A powerful and ferocious allegory that spares the rod from neither Jews nor gentiles. It's both epic and deeply personal and manages to drive the reader into utter despair on both fronts. This is a book that hurts, but the pain makes you better. Hopefully.
May 17, 2019
Powerful retelling of the biblical story, with a few unexpected turns. And of course "cherchez la femme" if you want to know the true motives...
January 2, 2021
Jabotinsky really puts life into the biblical story of Samson, while using the ancient Israel geopolitics to share his views on peoples, nations and the relations between them.
May 4, 2025
more interesting historically than a good read, not sure if that's because of the translation though. get iron get a king get a sense of humor legendary advice tho
May 15, 2025
Some would call it pertinent
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews