Yakov Nagen: 'Jewish Messianism is a vision for all of humanity'

18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers

To Rabbi Yakov Nagen, the Jewish-Muslim fraternity will be the major breakthrough of the 21st century.
This Religious Zionist rabbi is at the forefront of interfaith dialogue and peace work in Israel between Judaism, Islam, and Eastern Religions. The director of Ohr Torah Stone’s Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and its Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity, he is a passionate voice for universalist Jewish Messianism, which he says is a “vision for all of humanity.”
Rav Nagen teaches Talmud, Kabbalah, and Jewish philosophy as a senior educator at Yeshiva Otniel. He is an extensive writer with four books and hundreds of articles. His latest book on peace and universalism in Jewish Messianic thought, U-Shmo Echad (God Shall Be One), will be released in English this summer.
Now, he sits down with us to answer 18 questions on Israel, including Israeli democracy, non-Jewish citizens in a Jewish state, whether Messianism is helpful or harmful, and so much more.

This interview was held on June 20.
Here are our 18 questions:

1. As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?
2. What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?
3. How have your religious views changed since Oct. 7?
4. What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?
5. Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?
6. Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?
7. Now that Israel already exists, what's the purpose of Zionism?
8. Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?
9. Should Israel be a religious state?
10. If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?
11. Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?
12. What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?
13. Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption?
14. Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel?
15. Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?
16. Are political and religious divides a major issue in Israeli society today?
17. Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?
18. Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?