The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.
David Ben-GurionRead
Since I invoke Torah so often, let me state that I don't personally believe in the God it postulates ... I am not religious, nor were the majority of the early builders of Israel believers. Yet their passion for this land stemmed from the Book of Books ... [The Bible is] the single most important book in my life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a complex relationship with faith and identity, emphasizing the cultural significance of the Bible over personal belief in God.
David Ben-Gurion's quote illustrates how one's connection to land and identity can transcend religious beliefs. Although he personally does not subscribe to the religious aspects of the Torah, he acknowledges its foundational role in shaping the passion of those who helped establish Israel. This highlights the impact of cultural heritage and texts in influencing people's values and actions, showing that belief can take many forms beyond the purely religious.
Themes
TorahBibleFaithIdentityHeritageIsrael
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a cultural event discussing the importance of the Bible in shaping national identity.
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Anyone who believes you can't change history has never tried to write his memoirs.
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Those who today murdered our people in an ambush not only plotted to murder some Jews but intended to provoke us... The Arabs stand to gain from such a development. They want the country to be in a state of perpetual pogrom.... Any further bloodshed [by the Jews] will only bring political advantage to the Arabs and harm us... Our strength is in the defense... and this strength will give us political victory if England and the world will know that we are defending ourselves rather than attacking.
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After eighty, there are no enemies, only survivors.
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