Thu
4th May 06
One
of the greatest paradoxes of history is the story of the wandering Jew, famous
in Europe of Medieval times.
Being
a wandering nation is anathema to the Jews because, contrary to popular belief,
the Bible points to the Jews as the most shining example of a sedentary nation.
An
example of this is God's promise to the Nation of Israel that He will bring
them to a land flowing with milk and honey, where they will be able to grow the
seven species. (Deut 8)
Only
a sedentary nation could regard a land where you have to wait several years
before you can enjoy the fruit, as a promise.
A
wandering nomad wouldn't have regarded this as a promise but a curse. For him
sheep and other animals that can be slaughtered and eaten immediately would be
a promise.
In
order to cultivate the land it's preferable for the farmer to own the land. In
fact according some legal systems cultivation of the land is part of gaining
ownership.
In
the opinion of Biblical commentators God refused Cain's offering because he
didn't cultivate the agricultural products he offered but gathered what was
growing naturally, in contrast to Abel who had tended and diligently reared the
sheep he brought as an offering.
Being
sedentary is inconsistent with living in the land of some other nation who can,
at any given time expel one and so bring an end, to this sedentary situation.
If one is to be a sedentary inhabitant its necessary for one to have control
over the land of sedentary habitation otherwise the nation is expelled and
turned into a group of wanderers continually searching for a permanent
sedentary habitation.
Sedentary
and permanent are similes as their opposite, nomadic and temporary are similes.
A
sedentary situation can only exist if it is permanent. For example nomads
living in one area temporarily, before moving on to greener pastures cannot be
called sedentary inhabitants.
The
Jewish nation never moved from its permanent homeland of its own free will.
They moved because they were conquered and forced, by their conquerors to move.
The
Jews weren't nomads or wanderers, their conquerors were. They worked diligently
cultivating their crops and their conquerors stepped in and reaped the fruits
of their labor.
It's
clear that if the Jews were going to succeed at being sedentary inhabitants in
their own land they would have to assume the task of defending themselves so
they had kings, learnt how to fight and, most of all to cry out for justice
where their enemies would acknowledge the right of a nation to live in its own
land.
This
cry is heard throughout the prophets throughout all the many generations when
the Jews were an independent nation, in their own land, surrounded by enemies
who did not know justice which recognized each nation's right to his own land.
A
sedentary situation can only be achieved in a land where one has the right and
duty to defend it.
From
the beginning of their history the Jews were constantly searching for their own
land. Father Abraham starts the search and finds the land.
Moses
doesn't have to search. Thanks to the great achievement of Father Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob's achievements in cultivating the land, he knows exactly where
he's going, what he's going to do there and he's aware of the justice of his
claim.
In
addition he's so successful in passing this determination on to the Children of
Israel that he doesn't even have to enter the land. They enter on their own.
The
Jews have always been determined to find a permanent place of habitation.
Presumably Abraham could have had
The
same happens much later in history when the Jews ask Pharoah
to let them go to establish their own land. He even tries to force them to stay
in
Scholars
who consider the sojourn of the Israelites through the desert as evidence that
they are a nomadic nation are mistaken. The sojourn in the desert was only a
passing phase of transition from one country of sedentary habitation,
The
Jews go to their own land and they maintain a permanent habitation there. They
don't take over someone else's land or live as nomads plundering and enjoying
the fruits of someone else's labor.
Here's
wishing you all a great no news day.
Send comments to: legork@netvision.net.il
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Written
by:
Leon Gork. Israeli Tour Guide.
Tel/fax 02 5810732
Mobile phone 052 3801867
http://www.jerusalemwalks.tripod.com