The Jewish question has changed, again
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik's 1956 essay 'Kol Dodi Dofek' identified six 'knocks' signifying God's presence in the establishment of Israel; the author re-examines these 'knocks' 70 years later, amidst a changed global landscape. The international community's stance on Israel has shifted from support to delegitimization, prompting a re-evaluation of Jewish identity and legitimacy.
In 1956, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik's essay 'Kol Dodi Dofek' outlined six 'knocks' marking the establishment of Israel: political, military, theological, a call to Jewish youth, a restoration of Jewish honour, and open gates for persecuted Jews. Seventy years later, the author re-examines these 'knocks' in light of Israel's 78th independence anniversary. The global context has changed dramatically, with the UN, once instrumental in Israel's creation, now a platform for its delegitimization. The author argues that the current 'no' from the international community is a test, not a verdict, demanding that Jews define their identity without external validation. The 'knocks' now sound different, with some growing louder and others being tested or inverted. The political 'knock' now emphasizes that Jewish life cannot rely on the permission of other nations.
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