[Editor's Note: We are incredibly excited to introduce "Exile and the Prophetic," a new daily feature from noted theologian Marc H. Ellis. Ellis has been a leading thinker on Israel/Palestine and his work challenging the Jewish community "in an age where Empire Judaism seems triumphant" has never been as vital as it is today. To read the entire series visit the archive page here.]
Marc H. Ellis
I write from Cape Canaveral, in a small but serviceable apartment two blocks from the ocean. In some ways I am living in an idyllic setting, but the reasons for my arrival here are less than ideal. You see I have entered a new phase of a long exile after running into Ken Starr – yes that Ken Starr – who lo and behold became president of my university a couple of years ago. It’s a book length drama, perhaps even a movie but that’s for another time. Suffice it to say that all the dramatic components are present; deceit, hypocrisy, false accusations and even a paid witness or two! As I said, high drama.
But then again, though now far removed from the education industry, at least that part which increasingly carries a narrow Bible College mentality, I have survived to testify further. Which goes to show that even the attempt by some to recover a White Christian America has its limits if we continue on the journey. So onward I go.
It may be a coincidence that my new exile arrives during the twenty-fifth anniversary year of the publication of my Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation. In that book I outlined what I still hold to be true – that the central facing us as Jews is justice for and reconciliation with the Palestinian people. Without both we as Jews are nowhere, at least ethically speaking. Of course, on the empire front we are everywhere, a vision I have seen come true in my own lifetime. But where does empire lead us? That is the question I asked twenty-five years ago. I am still asking it today. But the situation is much graver. As Jews, darkness surrounds us. We have entered an abyss.
There is also hope. I have witnessed that too in struggles I have participated in and the struggles that Jews of the new generation are waging. Years ago a Palestinian told me that the Jewish prophetic would never die. He was – is – right. The prophetic is our indigenous. It is exploding right before our eyes.
The prophetic is also in exile. As old as our scriptures. Yet it is important to think through what both the prophetic and exile mean for Jews today. That is for Jews of Conscience who seek to practice Jewish in an age where Empire Judaism seems triumphant.
Thanks for joining Mondoweiss. I would be lying if I said a number of your books were tough going but always worth reading. Would you please share your history of studying at black colleges because you wanted to be a rabbi and how you ended up getting your Ph. D. at the Jesuit Marquette University?
“I would be lying if I said a number of your books were tough going but always worth reading.”
Ouch!! Les, of course it’s possible to decipher what you meant to say, but I don’t think the sentence as it stands, is it. I think you might need a “not” after “were”.
Wow, this’ll prove to be an awesome feature. Welcome to MW!
gazacalling, don’t get overexcited yet. This kind of liberation theology almost inevitably leads to embracing gender equality, and the right of people (and women too, just so you don’t misunderstand) to control their own lives and bodies. Not to mention a caring society. So you might want to reserve your praise until you see what the outcome is. It very well could be something you won’t like.
I very much look forward to reading Mr. Ellis’ articles!
For what it’s worth, I had bumper stickers made promoting your book, Judaism Does Not Equal Israel. Would love to have you speak in Eugene, perhaps at the University of Oregon. Al-Nakba Awareness Project has hosted many human rights-based speakers and we promote the right of return with the vision of a one democratic state. I look forward to your posts.
“The central [concern?] facing us as Jews is justice for and reconciliation with the Palestinian people.”
Absolutely true, especially when done by Jews, for Jewish purposes related to a concern for a Jewish future. Justice and reconciliation for Palestinians is precisely a “Jewish” concern that relates to our communal and spiritual health, in Israel and around the world. (And many other things besides….)
As a famous quip goes, don’t come come and help because you feel sorry for someone, but because you know your interests are intertwined. Jewish liberation requires Palestinian liberation.
“The central [concern?] facing us as Jews is justice for and reconciliation with the Palestinian people.”
Absolutely true, especially when done by Jews, for Jewish purposes related to a concern for a Jewish future. Justice and reconciliation for Palestinians is precisely a “Jewish” concern that relates to our communal and spiritual health, in Israel and around the world. (And many other things besides….)
“The central [concern?] facing us as Jews is justice for and reconciliation with the Palestinian people.”
Absolutely true, especially when done by Jews, for Israel’s purposes related to a concern for Israel’s future. Justice and reconciliation for Palestinians is precisely a “Israeli” concern that relates to our communal and spiritual health, in Israel and greater Israel.
There you go. I fixed it for you. Really don’t know why you would make a simple mistake like that, but you can count on me to back you up.
Shorter Newclench: ‘If the Diaspora abandons Zionism, we’ll make sure they pay!’
I’d like to hear more about why you consider yourself a “Jew of Conscience” and others to be subscribers to “Empire Judaism.”
Wow, Hophmi, great mimes think alike! Yup, I loooved that term “Empire Judaism”! First time I’ve seen it.
And it got right in amongst you, too. I shouldn’t wonder. You know, I think we’ll be hearing a lot of that term from now on.
“I’d like to hear more about why you consider yourself a “Jew of Conscience” and others to be subscribers to “Empire Judaism.”
I’m sure Mr. Ellis is going to tell us that, over the course of several posts. I’m looking forward to it. It’s obvious you are, too.
for many jews social justice & equality = judaism, that’s all there is, there ain’t anything else, except rituals & fairy tales.
“for many jews social justice & equality = judaism, that’s all there is, there ain’t anything else, except rituals & fairy tales.”
And the nice part is, if you strive for social justice and equality, it positively effects the nature of the rituals and fairy tales. Who knows, some day we may even give up male genital mutilation! Or even be able to talk about it.
Ahh, who am I kidding. That’s crazy talk.
“Jews of Conscience”
Maybe I’m one of those, cause mine bothers me all the time. In fact, sometimes the only way I can shut it off is by becoming a Jew Unconscious.
And anyway, the boy told me he was at least twenty five, but had been held back in school.