Concept in Definition ABC

The Hebrew term Zion or Sion is part of the Jewish religion and of Judaism as a culture. Originally, this word alluded to a edification built in Jerusalem and which became a benchmark for the spirituality of the Jewish people. In this sense, the word Zion is used as a synonym for the city of Jerusalem, the sacred place par excellence. for the Jews, since we must not forget that it is the geographical enclave of a broader concept, the Earth Fiancee.

The symbolic meaning of the concept

The Jewish people consider that they have been chosen by God. In this alliance between God and his people there is the conviction that the Promised Land, the current territory of Israel, it had been given to them by the Creator. When King David conquered Jerusalem, he began the building of a temple, which would be the center of Jewish faith and worship. The term Zion or Sion alludes precisely to this temple, which was completed by his successor, Solomon. Over time, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in the Vl century BC. C, but despite this the value

symbolic of Zion and Jerusalem it did not decrease but was even strengthened. In this sense, it must be remembered that the Jews of the diaspora pray looking towards Jerusalem and when they celebrate Passover they affirm "next year in Jerusalem ", which conveys a very clear idea: the city of Jerusalem is much more than a geographical place, as it represents the origin of its religion and your culture.

From Zion or Zion to Zionism

Zionism is a movement nationalist of the Jews and comes precisely from the word Zion or Zion. Sometimes Zionism and Judaism are used synonymously, but in a strict sense they are not. Zionism is the political movement that gave rise to the nation From Israel.

This means that the Zionists claimed territory for the Jews and this aspiration It was finalized with the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Despite this, not all Jews are Zionists, for Zionism implies an idea politics nationalist in nature and Judaism is not necessarily Zionist.

Zionism emerged as a longing among the Jewish people and with the passage of time it has become an ideological trend that generates philias and phobias. Its defenders maintain that Zionism connects with history and legacy Jewish. Its detractors accuse Zionism of having become a lobby that only defends its own interests.

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Themes in Zion