Page 18 - Issue 32

the basis of our idea, the idea of the renaissance and
redemption; this is the basis of the idea,’nation-man’.”

Comment and Implications: Gordon knew perfectly
well that his words were addressed to a public (the
chalutzim) who did not believe in a transcendent
God-Being. However they did believe in a God-idea
and its realization in a Jewish National Home. The
idea of a people in God’s image becomes a symbolic
infinite ideal – an “ultimate concern” in Tillich’s
words.

“A people in the image of God” was (is) a particular
infinite ideal of cultural Zionism with universal
implications.

2. “Life of the Hour” which is “Life Eternal*
(1911)

Insofar as I have not yet experienced a change in my
purpose for living, there is no reason for me to seek a
new life, for I will not find it. A new life is first and
foremost a new purpose for living. This idea is very
simple and yet despite this it is no wonder that many
people do not understand it and consider it to be a
strange idea. They say that it is up to the individual
who works to clarify for himself what it is that he
wants – if he wants to work and live by/for himself , or
if he wants to work and live so that others may live;