Reconstructionist Zionism

Reconstructionist Zionism, Restorationist Zionism or Zionist reconstructionism is an offshoot of Zionism which seeks to reconstruct or restore ancient Israelite or ancient Judean traditions and institutions in the modern-day nation-state of Israel. It can be classified as an amalgam of the goals of both Religious Zionism and Orthodox Judaism in that such traditions and institutions (most of which are derived from the Hasmonean period of Judean independence) are considered necessary from both political and religious (even Messianic) standpoints.
Monarchy or republic?
As the 25-year Hasmonean dynasty, the last Jewish monarchy to independently rule Israel, was gradually abolished by the Roman Empire, many if not most Reconstructionists view the monarchy as being re-establishable only by the divinely-appointed Mashgiach (literally, Anointed One, a title reserved for Israel's and Judah's kings), who is supposed to be a descendant of David's lineage. However, until the return of the Mashgiach, the governance of Israel, as conceived by Reconstructionists, is likely to be carried out by a continued republic, albeit one that is more overtly theocratic; most Kahanists expressly welcome an abolition of liberal democracy in favor of a halachic state.
Relationship with forms of Zionism
Reconstructionist Zionism enjoys a contentious relationship with other schools of the Zionist ideology, as (similar to the historic reception of Revisionist Zionism) Reconstructionist Zionism seeks to upset or abrogate the status quo with both secular Jewish Israelis and both secular and religious Muslim Arabs by securing Judaism, especially Orthodox Judaism, as the official state religious force. Reconstructionist Zionism also enjoys a philosophical boost from Christian Zionism, which also advocates for much of the same measures albeit for different goals (namely, the Second Coming of Jesus as the Messiah, which is also expressly rejected by most Jews).
Reconstructionist Zionism has very little in relation, however, with Reconstructionist Judaism (which is American-based and considered heretical by most Orthodox Jews).

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu