THE POLITICS ~OF ORAH - - - - * - - - - The Jewish Political Tradition and the FoundinR of Agudat Israef ALAN L. MITTLEMAN • LQ-~. THE POLITICS OF TORAH THE POLITICS OF TORAH THE JEWISH POLITICAL TRADITION AND THE FOUNDING OF AGUDAT ISRAEL ALAN L. MITTLEMAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS Published by State University of New York Press, Albany © 1996 State University of New York All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. For information, address State University of New York Press, State University Plaza, Albany, N.Y., 12246 Production by E. Moore Marketing by Bernadette LaManna Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Mittleman, Alan. The politics of Torah: the Jewish political tradition and the founding of Agudat Israel / Alan L. Mittleman. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-3077-4 (hc : acid-free). - ISBN 0-7914-3078-2 (pb : acid-free) 1. Judaism and politics. 2. Agudat Israel. 3. Orthodox Judaism -Political aspects. I. Title. BM645.P64M58 1996 296.3'877-dc20 95-49366 CIP 10 9 8 7 6 543 2 1 This book is dedicated to my wife, Patti, who stood by me at every point, caring for our children, Ari and Joel, and for our home during the difficult time when I was in Germany. Her patience and fortitude are a wonder, and are admired by all who know her. May we go from strength to strength together. CONTENTS Preface ix 1. Interpreting the Sacred Polity: The Concept of the Jewish Political Tradition 25 2. The Sacred Polity in Transition: Medieval Norms and Modern Ideals 49 3. Renewing the Sacred Polity: The Founding of Agudat Israel 93 Conclusion 141 Notes 147 Bibliography 185 Index 195 vii