The Revival of Israel: Rome and Jerusalem, the Last Nationalist Question

by Moses Hess, Meyer Waxman (Translator), Melvin I. Urofsky (Introduction)

Important as the first book to give theoretical expression to Zionism, The Revival of Israel was originally published in 1862. The scholar Melvin I. Urofsky notes that it “laid down nearly all of the premises and proposals” that Theodore Herzl, founder of the modern political Zionist movement, would popularize four decades later. Its author, Moses Hess (1812–1875), was a German socialist who brought his revolutionary zeal to the preaching of Jewish nationalism. The Revival of Israel combines a fervent sense of national destiny with ethical socialism and religious conservatism. Hess believed that Papal Rome represented the source of anti-Semitism and that universal ideals of justice and equality were inherent in the history and aspirations of the Jewish people, who could fulfill their historical promise only in their ancient Holy Land under their own rule. Without spiritual regeneration, Judaism was in danger of becoming nothing more than a creed or cult; too many German Jews had already assimilated. He looked above all to France, home of revolution, to protect the Jews, considering it the “sacred duty of Christians to help” them regain their promised land. Unnoticed at first, The Revival of Israel was later discovered and adopted by the Zionists. What Hess has to say about German anti-Semitism is eerily prescient.

Genres: History, Israel

265 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 1862

About the author

Moses Hess was a Jewish philosopher and socialist, and one of the founders of Labor Zionism. Hess was notably a friend and collaborator of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Hess converted Engels to Communism, and introduced Marx to social and economic problems.

Reviews

[Sam Schulman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really appealing early Zionist, and one of the very earliest commies. I had never heard of him, and he is a charmer - in a way that is very hard to pin down.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE OF THE FOUNDING WORKS OF ZIONISM

Moses (Moshe) Hess (1812-1875) was a Jewish philosopher and socialist, and one of the founders of Zionism. Here are some quotations from this book (which was originally published in 1862:

"The great teachers of the knowledge of God were always Jews." (Pg. 47)
"(T)he Jews are a nation which, having once acted as the leaven of the social world, is destined to be resurrected with the rest of civilized nations." (Pg. 49)
"The 'new' Jew, who denies the existence of the Jewish nationality, is not only a deserter in the religious sense, but is also a traitor to his people, his race and even to his family." (Pg. 62)
"In reality, Judaism as a nationality has a natural basis which cannot be set aside by mere conversion to another faith, as is the case in other religions." (Pg. 97)
"The Jew was not commanded to believe, but to search after the knowledge of God." (Pg. 98)
"The law of history, therefore, cannot as yet become scientifically known. The ways of Providence are still but dimly outlined for us. But thanks to the religious genius of the Jews, and its divine Revelation... the human spirit was constantly brought nearer to the recognition of this law." (Pg. 134)
"Our exalted historical religion... cannot have the sacrificial cult as an essential part of its being." (Pg. 142)

[Nataf · Rating 5 out of 5]

À fascinating human and Jewish itinerary. Form judaism to communism (with Marx) and back to zionist judaism keeping universal aspirations.