Theodor Herzl: Difference between revisions
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== His “Judenstaat” and “Altneuland” == | == His “Judenstaat” and “Altneuland” == | ||
His “Judenstaat,” admirable for its central thought, the unity of the Jewish people, is vague and weak in its want of historic grasp. When that element had been supplied, Herzl found himself combated by a large Jewish element, whom he depicted in his play “Das Neue Ghetto.” Whereas his first brochure and his first congress address lacked all religious thought, and his famous remark that the return to Zion would be preceded by a return to Judaism seemed at the moment due rather to a sudden inspiration than to deep thought, subsequent events have proved that it was a true prophecy. His latest literary work, “Altneuland,” is devoted to Zionism. The author occupied the leisure of three years in writing what he believed might be accomplished by 1923. It is less a novel, though the form is that of romance, than a serious forecasting of what can be done when one generation shall have passed. The key-notes of the story are the love for Zion, the insistence upon the fact that the changes in life suggested are not utopian, but are to be brought about simply by grouping all the best efforts and ideals of every race and nation; and each such effort is quoted and referred to in such a manner as to show that “Old-Newland,” though blossoming through the skill of the Jew, will in reality be the product of the benevolent efforts of all the members of the human family. | His “Judenstaat,” admirable for its central thought, the unity of the Jewish people, is vague and weak in its want of historic grasp. When that element had been supplied, Herzl found himself combated by a large Jewish element, whom he depicted in his play “Das Neue Ghetto.” Whereas his first brochure and his first congress address lacked all religious thought, and his famous remark that the return to [[Zion]] would be preceded by a return to Judaism seemed at the moment due rather to a sudden inspiration than to deep thought, subsequent events have proved that it was a true prophecy. His latest literary work, “Altneuland,” is devoted to Zionism. The author occupied the leisure of three years in writing what he believed might be accomplished by 1923. It is less a novel, though the form is that of romance, than a serious forecasting of what can be done when one generation shall have passed. The key-notes of the story are the love for Zion, the insistence upon the fact that the changes in life suggested are not utopian, but are to be brought about simply by grouping all the best efforts and ideals of every race and nation; and each such effort is quoted and referred to in such a manner as to show that “Old-Newland,” though blossoming through the skill of the Jew, will in reality be the product of the benevolent efforts of all the members of the human family. | ||
== Influence == | == Influence == |