Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer
Of the individuals most commonly associated with the so-called “Jerusalem School” of historiography—the first- and second-generation of scholars of Jewish history that coalesced around the Hebrew University in the first years of its existence—Yitzhak (Fritz) Baer (1888–1980) was probably the least o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/6/537 |
| _version_ | 1797482799180021760 |
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| author | Yiftach Ofek |
| author_facet | Yiftach Ofek |
| author_sort | Yiftach Ofek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Of the individuals most commonly associated with the so-called “Jerusalem School” of historiography—the first- and second-generation of scholars of Jewish history that coalesced around the Hebrew University in the first years of its existence—Yitzhak (Fritz) Baer (1888–1980) was probably the least overtly political. Yet, a careful reading of his writings reveals a mind that was heavily engaged with the social and political affairs of the day. Like most members of the Jerusalem School, Baer saw his scholarship as a contribution to the Zionist project—an attempt to influence the character of the renascent Jewish society. Although he did not proclaim or publicize his views as loudly as others, he nonetheless weaved his political views into the fabric of his historical research. By reading his historical works against their immediate political context, we can therefore begin to piece together what amounts to an original and comprehensive worldview. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:37:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-50d7af5570cf4780ae9081f4a1510b91 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:37:39Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-50d7af5570cf4780ae9081f4a1510b912023-11-23T18:45:18ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-06-0113653710.3390/rel13060537Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak BaerYiftach Ofek0Divinity School, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USAOf the individuals most commonly associated with the so-called “Jerusalem School” of historiography—the first- and second-generation of scholars of Jewish history that coalesced around the Hebrew University in the first years of its existence—Yitzhak (Fritz) Baer (1888–1980) was probably the least overtly political. Yet, a careful reading of his writings reveals a mind that was heavily engaged with the social and political affairs of the day. Like most members of the Jerusalem School, Baer saw his scholarship as a contribution to the Zionist project—an attempt to influence the character of the renascent Jewish society. Although he did not proclaim or publicize his views as loudly as others, he nonetheless weaved his political views into the fabric of his historical research. By reading his historical works against their immediate political context, we can therefore begin to piece together what amounts to an original and comprehensive worldview.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/6/537Yitzhak BaerGershom ScholemMartin BuberJudaismZionismhistoriography |
| spellingShingle | Yiftach Ofek Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer Religions Yitzhak Baer Gershom Scholem Martin Buber Judaism Zionism historiography |
| title | Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer |
| title_full | Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer |
| title_fullStr | Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer |
| title_short | Politics and Theology in the Historical Works of Yitzhak Baer |
| title_sort | politics and theology in the historical works of yitzhak baer |
| topic | Yitzhak Baer Gershom Scholem Martin Buber Judaism Zionism historiography |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/6/537 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yiftachofek politicsandtheologyinthehistoricalworksofyitzhakbaer |