Introducing Zionism, Messianism & Kabbalah

The first session introduces the mainstream understanding of Zionism and touches upon its connection with the ancient idea of messianism. We will discuss the key role kabbalistic thought played throughout history on shifting the messianic idea from a passive one to an active one that requires human involvement. The Kabbalistic Birth Pangs of Zionism | Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer This series will introduce key kabbalistic principals and their impact on different historical figures, with their actions and ideas, like dominos, causing a chain reaction from one to another. Ultimately, the stories of these people will end up deeply interwoven with the late 19th century Zionist movement. Dr. Jonnie Schnytzer is a lecturer at the Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies, Bar Ilan University and a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Jewish Thought, Ben Gurion University.