Civil Religion in Israel

This study explores the profound influence of Judaism on the political culture of the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel, spanning from the prestate yishuv period to the present day. Focusing on the concept of civil religion—defined as the ceremonials, myths, and creeds that legitimize the social order, foster unity, and mobilize society toward its key political goals—the research examines how these elements, often rooted in Jewish tradition, have shaped the political and moral community of Israel. Civil religion, representing what is most sacred in a political culture, has played a distinctive role in unifying the population and guiding political aims within modern Jewish society in Israel.

The book traces the evolution of civil religion in Israel, highlighting its decline in recent years as a key shift in Israeli political culture. Organized into chapters that define terms, detail the development of civil religions over time, and explore the responses of religious Jews, the study culminates in a comprehensive analysis of the topic. Drawing on research supported by grants from the Israel Foundations Trustees and Bar-Ilan University, the authors offer a collaborative and in-depth examination of civil religion’s dynamic presence and transformation within Israeli society, shedding light on one of the most significant elements of its political and cultural identity.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1983.