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Linked Destinies
Rijk, Cornelis A.

The expression "Israel and the Nations" immediately arouses widely differing reactions. For some, the topic is a vague one and lends itself to -many different interpretations, while for others' it signifies an actual, complex reality which, in one way or another, causes them to adopt entrenched positions. From this it would appear immediately that whatever affects Israel, affects the existence of the nations or, in other wards, that Isra&s destiny is linked to the destiny of the nations. Let us have a look at some aspects of this very complex reality.
For many people, the expression "Israel and the Nations" refers directly to the current political scene. Since 1948, Israel has been in existence as a State among the others. This is remarkable in itself. After the destruction of the Jewish :State by the Romans, after a third of the Jewish population in the west had been destroyed, this people reconstructed its own State. The political and military strife with which this State is faced is such that the Middle East situation could, it is said, become a danger for the whale world. Reactions for and against, both commit and divide the nations at the same time.
Far Jews throughout the world, the State of Israel is more and more consciously regarded as the focus of their existence as a people, an existence which comes to be seen as composed of three elements: the people, the land of Israel and the religion. Believers of other religions, especially of Christianity and Islam, all of them linked by their faith to Jerusalem, have begun to meditate upon the meaning of this reality from a religious standpoint. Several studies have appeared an the subject: "The Conflict in the Middle East and Religious Faith" published by the British Council of Churches, "Israel, Peo
ple, Land, and State", those of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church, of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States, the Ecumencia,l Theological Brotherhood, the ' Rainbow Group in Jerusalem, those published in Beirut, etc. In all cases, it is possible to see the understanding of this reality being deepened and to see the practical results which flow from this. It is true that we are at the beginning of our reflections and that there are many differences of opinion, but it is clear that the question concerns a growing number of countries and religions.
A quite different aspect of the question is that of the relations between Israel and other states. Israel is a member of the United Nations, and therefore, has diplomatic relations with a great number of states, but special consideration could be given to the question of her relations with countries for aid and for development purposes. This question is linked to the interests of these states, but also to a firmly held belief regarding human relations.
Because the name "Israel" also refers to the Jewish people, the topic of "Israel and the Nations" can also refer to the ~strictly religious question of relations between the Jewish religion and other religions. The terms of divine revelation, to be found in the Bible, can be considered here.
There can be no doubt that there is a link between Israel and the other ancient religions. From this point of view, what meaning should be ascribed to this link and to -the link between Israel and the nations? As the Bible makes clear, the call of Abraham and his descendants was destined to be a blessing for all the nations of the earth (Gen 12:2). The universa'lism of the Bible's message is often expressed in its pages,
principally by the prophets. Then the question arises as to how this universalism has become a reality, and how it does become one. For us, it is an established fact that through Jesus the Messiah and through the Church, the biblical message has reached the ends of the earth; yet, on the other hand, the Jewish people continues to be and to exercise its influence within the world. Divine revelation and the Jewish religion have left a deep mark on the Jewish people during its history, which was often a tragic one, but they have also produced their contribution towards the literature and the religious culture of the world. It is with this as a foundation that we can make a deep study of Israel's mission and her message for all mankind.
In this light, we approarh the question of the new encounter between religions, an the one hand, between Christianity and Judaism and, on the other, between these two revealed religions and Islam, the third monotheistic religion. Only the first steps have been taken in this dialogue. Some meetings, such as that at Kyoto in Japan, have joined together representatives of the great religions of the world; meetings took place, principally in Germany, in Switzerland and in Israel, between Jews, Christians and Moslems. Some discussions were organized between Christians and Moslems in Lebanon, Egypt and Rome. In 1970 the most frequent were meetings of Jews and Christians, both at the national and international levels (cf. Toronto 1968, New Jersey 1970, and Rame 1970).
But all these meetings are only the beginning of a new enquiry at a deep level into the meaning of relationships between religions, based on the longings of human beings for peace, goodness and happiness. This new atmosphere of inter-denominational relations can highlight the importance and relevance of the message of the Bible, which both Judaism and Christianity present in their different ways.
While speaking of "Israel and the Nations" we can also reflect on the history of the Jewish people within the diaspora. For about two thou sand years, Jews have lived among the nations, have kept their heritage and their identity within a rich tradition, always aware of their link with the land of their fathers and of their desire to go back there. But at the same time, they have left their mark on the culture of the different countries and peoples. One only has to think of the golden age in Babylon, in Spain and in eastern and central Europe. Despite this, the diaspora is characterized especially by suffering, misunderstanding, discriminations and persecutions. The nations' antagonism towards the Jew- , ish people was expressed in many ways; actions, teaching and literature. An idea of Israel's relationship with the nations, according to which Israel, the Jewish people, was seen as a dark, mysterious power which sought to dominate and to obliterate the nations, in a world-wide conspiracy, even sprang up (See the "Protocols of the Sages of Zion", always widespread in certain countries).
All these aspects of the question serve only to underline even more the complexity of this reality: "Israel and the Nations".
This edition of Sidic is not, of course, intended to set out in full every aspect of the problem. In a certain sense, every edition has the purpose of shedding light on a particular aspect. This edition offers a series of reflections on the way in which Jewish tradition, ancient and modern, looks upon its relations with the non-Jewish world, with the nations. This presentation can be a considerable help towards coming to know Judaism better. Other items, as usual, contain information and news about the development of dialogues, important events and recent publications.