КОНСЕРВАТИЗМ ТА МОДЕРНІЗМ У ВЧЕННІ САТМАРСЬКОГО РЕБЕ ПРО СІОНІЗМ

Abstract

Yoel Teitelbaum Satmar Rebbe is one of the most prominent leaders of the Hasidism of the XX century. His teaching has played a crucial role in shaping the ideology of the most conservative circles of modern Jewish orthodoxy. According to his mind the Zionist secular state is the main danger for Judaism. In the struggle against this project, he skillfully combines medieval rabbinic concept with modern doctrines popular in Western society. Like many predecessors Satmar Rebbe argues that Jews should live under the authority of other people until God will arrange redemption for them. Only the King Messiah has the right to change the existing state of affairs. At the same time r. Yoel Teitelbaum actively supports pacifism and struggle for the human rights. According to his mind all the problems should be resolved through the mediation of the UN. Israel’s attempts to resolve the dispute with the neighbors on their own led to the war, which has no end in sight. Therefore, the actions of the Jewish state should not be seen as self-defense. It is inherently aggressive one and deserves condemnation. Satmar Rebbe pays due attention also to the role of modern technologies in the political organization of society. He argues that the current dismal state of affairs has become possible due to the skillful manipulation of people’s minds with the help of the monopolized media. Arguing about the reasons for the success of the Zionists, r. Yoel admits that it is possible to explain as the result of the supernatural deeds attributed to Satan. Because of this, he urged all supporters to ignore the miracle events and to remain true to their convictions. Despite all his hatred to Zionism r. Yoel Teitelbaum often prayed that the state of Israel would go, but not a Jew got any hurt. In accordance with his convictions sharpest ideological opposition should not lead to the physical destruction of the enemy. We have to stress that our research did not bring any proofs that r. Yoel Teitelbaum was a devotee of the ideals of modern Western society. He was a staunch defender of the traditional way of life and conservation of the old forms of social organization of Orthodox Jews. But the main points of his teachings are in many ways similar to European system of values. Sermons of Satmar Rebbe are a brilliant example of a new type of ideology, in which the outer conservatism gets on with the internal modernization.