Accounts of the history of Zionism usually trace its origins to the late nineteenth century. In this groundbreaking book, Arie Morgenstern argues that its roots go back even further. Morgenstern argues compellingly that the Jewish community in Israel may be traced back to a large-scale wave of immigration during the first half of the nineteenth century. Inspired by an expectation for the coming of the Messiah in the year 1840, thousands of Jews from throughout the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, and Eastern Europe relocated to Jerusalem. Morgenstern describes the messianic awakening in all these lands but focuses primarily on the concept of redemption through messianic activism that prevailed among the disciples of Rabbi Elijah, the Ga'on of Vilna. These immigrants believed that the Messiah's arrival would bring about the redemption of the Jews, but also that, in order for this redemption to come about, they needed to prepare the way for the Messiah by fulfilling the commandment to dwell in the land of Israel. Morgenstern offers a dramatic account of their relocation, their efforts to renew rabbinic ordination, their reestablishment of the Ashkenazi community, and the building of Jerusalem. He also explores the crisis of faith that followed the Messiah's failure to appear as expected, and its effects on the community. Drawing on a wealth of previously untapped sources, Morgenstern sheds important new light on the history of messianic Judaism and on the ideological trends that preceded, and eventually gave birth to, modern political Zionism.

About the Author
Arie Morgenstern served 20 years as an advisor for the teaching of History at the Ministry of Education in Israel. During this time, he received his Ph.D. in Modern Jewish History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research specialties include Messianic movements in the 18th and 19th centuries. He is the author of five books (in Hebrew) as well as many scholarly articles. He is a senior fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem.

Reviews
The book breaks fresh ground in exploring the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel during the 19th century. Drawing on a wealth of sources, the author offers a revolutionary perception according to which specific messianic expectations for the year of 1840 motivated thousands of Jews to settle down in the land of Israel. This study serves as a basic guide to everything that touches upon the issue of messianism and the resettlement in the land of Israel beginning with the 19th century. As such, it must be seriously taken into account in any future research. * Prof. Moshe Hallamish, Professor Emeritus of Jewish Philosophy and Mysticism, Bar-Ilan University, Israel *



Book Information
ISBN 9780195305784
Author Arie Morgenstern
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 573g
Dimensions(mm) 160mm * 234mm * 31mm