Revolutionaries Despite Themselves

Abstract

In the British Mandate pre-state Jewish community in Palestine, a unique population sector with a complex ideology developed – the religious-Zionist community. This community, which advocated the preservation of Jewish tradition while embracing new ideas and concepts, was undecided as to what its role in the rebuilding of the Land of Israel should be. It was especially concerned as to how it would preserve the values of the past while at the same time becoming an integral part of the new Jewish society in Eretz Israel. It sought to guarantee the continued existence of Jewish tradition while establishing new gender relations, one of the underpinnings of the new society.