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עמוד:6
6 Dov Schwartz Besides describing the characteristic features of the two types, I will argue that the interaction between the patterns they established facilitates an understanding of several historical events . These patterns at times continue one another but, mainly, they confront one another . To illustrate their course, I will relate to two historical episodes where these personality patterns come forth, one that took place a few years after Reines’ death, and the other about fifty years later or more, whose implications are felt up to this day . Introduction R . Shmuel Mohilever ( 1824 - 1898 ) was an important leader of the Hovevei Zion [ Lovers of Zion ] movement . He died about five years after he founded the “Mizrachi” ( an acronym for Merkaz Ruhani— spiritual center’ — and also hinting at the Land of Israel, considered ’ as being in the east, the mizrach ) , and about four years before R . Yitzhak Yaakov Reines ( 1839 - 1915 ) founded the “Mizrachi” as a faction in the World Zionist Organization in 1902 . Judging the endeavor of these two men in a historical perspective, particularly against the background of Eastern European Jewish society, will reveal a revolutionary and constitutive element . I will argue that Mohilever and Reines denote two primary personality patterns in the life of national religiosity, and my concern will be the background of these patterns’ emergence . The Similarities These two public figures, who stood at a historical crossroad in the emergence of Jewish religious nationalism, have much in common . Consider the following aspects : Background . Both Mohilever and Reines served as city rabbis ) 1 ( in Eastern Europe . Their activity ensued their social and spiritual leadership experience . Achievements . Both founded movements and organizations ) 2 ( associated with the awakening of Jewish nationalism ( “Mizrachi” ) .
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