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Conference taveng::bagels

Title:BAGELS and other things of Jewish interest
Notice:1.0 policy, 280.0 directory, 32.0 registration
Moderator:SMURF::FENSTER
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1524
Total number of notes:18709

854.0. "Diaspora" by SNOC02::SIMPSON (Those whom the Gods would destroy...) Mon Dec 18 1989 01:13

    Recently in the 'religion' note in SOAPBOX there was a request for an
    explanation of the Diaspora.  I've done a string search but found
    nothing suitable.  I'd appreciate it if someone would supply an
    explanation suitable for reposting.
    
    Regards.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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854.1PACKER::JULIUSMon Dec 18 1989 10:503
    A location, other than Israel, in which a Jew lives.
    
    Bernice
854.2More...TALLIS::GOYKHMANNostalgia ain't what it used to beMon Dec 18 1989 12:515
    	I suspect the question was for the explanation of Diaspora, it's
    roots and causes, history and whatnot. That's what the Soapbox entry
    was asking for, anyway.
    
    DG
854.3PACKER::JULIUSMon Dec 18 1989 16:404
    It comes from a Greek word which means to scatter or disperse.
    It originated after the destruction of the second temple.  
    
    Bernice
854.4that much I knewSNOC02::SIMPSONThose whom the Gods would destroy...Tue Dec 19 1989 05:261
    
854.5you're welcomePACKER::JULIUSTue Dec 19 1989 10:331
    
854.6Disapora definedWAV12::STEINHARTTue Dec 19 1989 16:2520
    Come on guys, give Simpson a break!
    
    Disapora refers to the worldwide dispersion of the Jews after the
    Roman destruction of the Second Temple and the Jewish State.  (There
    were pre-existing Jewish communities in other countries at this
    time.)  The Disapora occurred on a much larger scale than previous
    emigration.  A significant number settled in Spain and prospered
    in the "golden age" under Moorish domination until they were exiled
    in 1492 by Ferdinand and Isabella when the Moorish kingdoms were
    ended in Spain.  Many then migrated throughout the Mediterranean
    and throughout Europe.
    
    Diaspora is often referred to as a "condition".  It implies the
    loss of the Temple and associated rituals and the changeover to
    Rabbinic-style Judaism as we know it today.  Prophecies of the
    messianic age include the rebuilding of the Temple and ingathering
    of the dispersed to the land of Israel. 
    
    Diaspora is also used as an analogy by mystics for the dispersion
    of the divine light into the world.
854.7GAON::jemEat, drink, and be... fat and drunkTue Dec 19 1989 16:467
Re: .0

If what you're interested in are the reasons for the Diaspora, and the horrors
that go along with the dispersion, see Leviticus 26: 14-46.

Jem
854.8did I say the wrong thing?SNOC02::SIMPSONThose whom the Gods would destroy...Wed Dec 20 1989 00:397
    re .6 & .7, thanks.  Just as a matter of interest, did I
    unintentionally touch a raw nerve?  My question was an honest inquiry
    and not intended to offend.
    
    Regards,
    
    David
854.9Armenia has one alsoSETH::CHERSONmaintain an even strainWed Dec 20 1989 15:053
    Don't forget that there is a diaspora for the Armenian nation as well.
    
    --David
854.10VAXWRK::ZAITCHIKVAXworkers of the World Unite!Wed Dec 20 1989 18:436
>    Don't forget that there is a diaspora for the Armenian nation as well.

FWIW, the prophets often refer to the "diasporas" of other nations and
even (Isaiah but I don't have a tanach handy for the chpt's and verses...)
talk about the eventual "ingathering" of these diasporas.
-Zaitch
854.11Raw nervesDECSIM::GROSSThe bug stops hereThu Dec 21 1989 14:3117
There are sensitive issues touched on by this topic. Jewish residents of Israel
want more Jews to come and live there and express annoyance when Jews in the
Diaspora intrude on their internal affairs from afar. Jews in the Diaspora
look on Israel as a place of refuge should virulent anti-semitism ever break
out where they are living and feel that Israel is partly theirs ("I sent my
contribution to CJP, didn't I?").

There is also a religious issue although I don't think any of the contributers
to Bagels hold this view. Some Jews feel that only the Messiah is permitted to
establish a Jewish state in Israel - since the Messiah is not here yet, there
shouldn't be an Israel now.

I have tried to express the issues in as neutral a manner as I can and without
getting into too much detail. If I mis-stated something, please accept my
apology in advance.

Dave
854.12Another view...VAXWRK::ZAITCHIKVAXworkers of the World Unite!Sat Dec 30 1989 22:0516
>There is also a religious issue although I don't think any of the contributers
>to Bagels hold this view. Some Jews feel that only the Messiah is permitted to
>establish a Jewish state in Israel - since the Messiah is not here yet, there
>shouldn't be an Israel now.

Here is a view to which I am partial:
Only the Messiah (whatever that means exactly) is entitled to establish the
kind of Torah state which Jewish tradition looks forward to, but in the
meantime there is every reason why we ought to establish a state which
can protect us and which is as ethical a state as one can hope for given
our non-Messianic circumstances and character.

This is neither religious Zionism nor secular Zionism, but I find it congenial.

-Zaitch