The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl is a thought-provoking and visionary work that lays out a compelling argument for the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Herzl presents a clear and logical case for why the Jewish people need their own country, and outlines the steps that must be taken to achieve this goal.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is Herzl's ability to anticipate many of the challenges and obstacles that would arise in the process of creating a Jewish state. His insights into the practicalities of nation-building and the complexities of international politics are both prescient and insightful.

While some may question Herzl's political and social views, there is no denying the impact that The Jewish State has had on the course of Jewish history. The book served as a rallying cry for the Zionist movement and inspired generations of Jewish leaders to work towards the realization of Herzl's dream.

Overall, The Jewish State is a seminal work that continues to resonate with readers today. Herzl's passion, intelligence, and foresight make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Zionism and the ongoing struggle for a Jewish homeland.

Book Description:

This reading is in Hebrew.

Der Judenstaat (German, The Jewish State) is a book written by Theodor (Binyamin Zeev) Herzl and published in 1896 in Leipzig and Vienna by M. Breitenstein’s Verlags-Buchhandlung. It was originally called “Address to the Rothschilds” referring to the Rothschild family banking dynasty which was very influential in the realization of a Zionist state in Palestine. It is considered to be one of the most important texts of early Zionism. As expressed in this book, Herzl envisioned the founding of a future independent Jewish state during the twentieth century. He argued that the best way of avoiding anti-Semitism in Europe was to create this independent Jewish state. Herzl, who had lived as a secular, largely assimilated Jew, was fluent in neither Hebrew nor Yiddish. His lack of contact with Jewish culture and intellectual currents, and his limited contact with Jews less assimilated than he prior to hitting upon the idea of a Jewish return to Zion, led him to imagine that popular Jewish support for a Jewish State elsewhere than in Israel was conceivable. In Der Judenstaat, Herzl noted the possibility of a Jewish state in Argentina.
Translated into Hebrew by Michal Berkovitch.