Expressivist Religious Zionism: Modernity and the Sacred in a Nationalist Movement

This book presents a new approach to the study of Religious Zionism. In counter-distinction to the prevalent fundamentalist approach, it argues that mainstream of Religious Zionism is a romantic religious nationalist movement in which the modern idea of self-expression and related notions, such as the free and authentic self and the overcoming of alienation, forms its philosophical core.

By showing how such notions are combined with conservative and un-modern cultural and political goals (such as the restoration of a messianic kingdom), it provides a profoundly complex and nuanced account both of pervasiveness of modern notions in contemporary culture and of the modern aspects of conservative and even extremist religious and nationalist groups. By uncovering the process of the sacralization of the nation, the state, the national destiny and territory it contributes to our understanding of religious nationalism globally. It also shows how the violence and extremism perpetrated by Religious Zionism elements is not some atavistic holdover from the past but is in fact rooted in the drive to self-actualization and constitutes modernist violence.

This book will appeal to researchers and students of Jewish studies, Israel, and the Middle East. Its intended audience also includes researchers on religious nationalism, and contemporary religious and national movements.