Zionism in the Thought of Rabbi Z.Y. Kook and the Origins of Gush Emunim

Abstract

Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook (1891-1981) is one of the most important spiritual leaders of Religious Zionism and a major figure in the shaping of Israeli society. The Gush Emunim movement was established in 1974 under his spiritual leadership. 

His teachings changed dramatically over the years, and can be divided into two major stages. During the first stage of his spiritual development, Rabbi Kook totally identified with Zionist ideology, and was very vocal against its opponents from the Orthodox world. After the 73’ War, however, a dramatic change occurred, after which he started to shun from a complete identification with Zionism, while attacking the very legitimacy of the State to conduct an independent policy, when it came to returning land to Arab rule. 

Analyzing the changes in his approach will provide a better understanding of the reasons that led him to change from a spiritual back-stage player to a political leader and spiritual guide for a mass movement, who was active in the public sphere. Hence we will be able to examine the spiritual background for the establishment of Gush Emunim, and the internal tensions that characterize this movement, from its very beginning to the present day.