INCLUSION, IDENTITY AND THE IDEA OF ISRAEL: THINKING LIKE A KABBALAH

Abstract

Any physicality needs identity to survive. But how much identity should we choose to hold and in what form is a question of humanity. Unfortunately, the ideas of race, religion or caste prioritized morality or codes of conduct. However, all these codes end up limiting humanity rather than expanding it since the dimensions of humanity cannot be bound in moral code of conduct. The existence of Israel does not ought to be just a political or moral question. By any parameter of humanity, the Jewish nation has a fundamental right to be. However, the idea of Israel as well must be one in sync with the most inclusive aspects of the great history of Judaism and the region. Judaism has a rich legacy of mysticism and messianic movements, which among others, stressed upon the interconnected nature of everything. Ironically, both traits are in serious short supply for most nations, including Israel, these days. Overall, this paper seeks to imagine whether, in the current schema of things, Israel and Palestine can save themselves from the tyrannies of their identity and move ahead like a Kabbalah