Zionism Test

Question 1

Definition of Zionism-

Answer 1

The support of the Jewish people and the state of Israel, and/or feeling that the Jews have the right to live in Israel.

Question 2

Zionism is racism-

Answer 2

A conference where it was discussed that Zionism is racist, and discriminates against the Palestinians.

Question 3

Historical connection-

Answer 3

There are numerous places on the Torah where it is mentioned that we have a claim to the land of Israel where our forefathers rested and still do now. Ex: Bereshit, the fifth commandment (honor… that you may long endure on the land that… your G-d is giving to you.”

Question 4

What are the religious connections to Israel?

Answer 4

Israel is mentioned in numerous religious sources-
The Siddur: Shemah, the Amidah (in a few places), Bircat Hamazon (also in a few places).
Tanach- twice in Bereshit, the fifth commandment.

Question 5

Prophecy of Amos-

Answer 5

The prophet Amos apparently predicts the late nineteenth and twentieth century return to Zion (or Israel), he said that Hashem will restore them.

Question 6

Talmud, on Mitzvah of living in Israel-

Answer 6

1. You can convince your family to go to Israel or Jerusalem, but not to leave.
2. You can divorce your spouse if you disagree about whether to go to Israel or not.
3. It’s apparently better to live in Israel with no Jewish community or affiliation whatsoever then to live in the diaspora with a large Jewish community.

Question 7

What does the Rashi in Bereshit say and how does it relate AT ALL to Zionism?

Answer 7

It says- why did the Torah begin with creation? To show that Hashem created everything and if people accuse us of stealing Israel than we can say that Hashem gave it to us. And, like usual, I have no idea.

Question 8

PLEASE explain the Basel Program-

Answer 8

1897- the guidelines of the First Zionist Congress in August. The point of it was to secure a legal homeland for the Jews.

Question 9

What were the four points of the Basel Program?

Answer 9

• to settle Israel with Jewish agricultural workers, laborers, and artisans.
• to organize people into groups based on their respective countries and laws.
• strengthening of Jewish self-awareness and national consciousness.
• obtaining consent from various governments.

Question 10

PLEASE explain the First Zionist Congress-

Answer 10

Theodore Herzl called this in August 29, 1897, he was the President and Max Nordau was one of the three Vice Presidents. It was held to discuss the Basel Program.

Question 11

What did Natan Sharansky do/want?

Answer 11

He was a very Zionist guy who was arrested. He was the chairman of the Jewish agency.

Question 12

What was the Dreyfus affair and how does it relate to Herzl?

Answer 12

Alfred Dreyfus was arrested wrongly because he was Jewish. This case caused Herzl to come up with a mass exodus to the state of Israel.

Question 13

What is the Society of Jews and the Jewish Company?

Answer 13

The Jewish Company will carry out political policies which the Society of Jews will establish.

Question 14

What is Political Zionism?

Answer 14

The political aspect- actually establishing a Jewish state and it’s government.

Question 15

What is Cultural Zionism?

Answer 15

Achad Ha’am did not need a state just a Jewish settlement.

Question 16

Customs-

Answer 16

Maybe that we break a glass, leave a corner of our home unpainted, and rip our clothes at the Kotel because we are in mourning of our exile.

Question 17

For some reason we have to know about Entebbe and Yoni Netanyahu, so….

Answer 17

It was a hijacking of a plan, called Operation Entebbe, Yoni Netanyahu fought and was the only one who died.