Messianic Jewish leaders critique anti-Zionist movements for severing Judaism from Jewish peoplehood and statehood.

The article explores the tension between Jewish identity and the concept of Jewish peoplehood, emphasizing the inseparable link between Judaism, Jewish nationhood, and the right to self-determination in the ancestral homeland. The author argues that some Jews, both historically and in contemporary times, have attempted to dissociate themselves from the broader Jewish community while still identifying as Jewish. This includes groups like Jews for Jesus, which abandoned traditional Judaism, and early German Reformers who prioritized cultural assimilation over Jewish peoplehood.

The piece highlights the ongoing issue of Jewish anti-Zionism, which the author views as a rejection of a core Jewish principle—the Ingathering of the Exiles and the right to sovereignty in the land of Israel. This stance is seen as a departure from both religious and national Jewish identity, with the author suggesting that such positions are not only misguided but also dangerous.

The author notes that certain groups, such as Neturei Karta, have been observed participating in demonstrations alongside groups like Hamas, which are internationally recognized as terrorist organizations. These actions are described as a profound disconnection from the suffering of the Jewish people and a rejection of the communal and national responsibilities that define Jewish life.

On the progressive Left, the author acknowledges that while such groups are still marginal, their numbers are growing. This trend is viewed as a troubling development, as it represents a form of Jewish identity that prioritizes ideological alignment with groups that advocate for the destruction of Israel over the well-being of the Jewish people.

The article draws a parallel between these individuals and the “wayward son” described in the Haggadah, a figure who distances himself from the Jewish community and its traditions. The Haggadah’s critique of this figure underscores the importance of communal and national identity within Judaism. The author contends that such individuals have denied a fundamental principle of faith, one that is deeply tied to the fate of the Jewish people.

The author concludes by affirming that faith and Judaism are inseparable from the Jewish people and their collective destiny. This connection is not only spiritual but also historical and national, rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish people. The article serves as a call to uphold the integrity of Jewish identity and the principles that bind the Jewish community together.

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