The Ashkenazi Revolution

24from the sources, like Pinsker, Herzl, Nordau and Zabotinsky, who are theones who demanded increased space. As for territorialism, one the onehand, it was attractive to the Ashkenazi masses that dwelt in crowdedconcentrations in a wide area between the Rhein and the Dneiper. On theother hand, they saw territorialism as a model and ideal for themselves inregards to European colonialism overseas, which was carried out overentire continents. The Zionist schools of thought that were not nurtured byterritorialism decreed upon themselves miserliness in all that pertained tospace. To our regret, we must note that this pattern was faithfully followed,in general, in historical tradition.10During the long period of the Judges, the tribes of Israel showed no effortworthy of being called an “effort”, to consolidate conquered territories or toacquire additional territories. David formed a large kingdom, but it wasdivided after the death of Solomon, and with its division came the end ofany hopes of expansion. But specifically these tribes, whose achievementswere in the realm of the conquest of space, were the unfortunate ones.They did not refrain from strongly opposing the large kingdoms of theMideast, Egypt, Assyria and Babylon, during the Second Temple. Duringthe Second Temple, the Jews had long wars with the Seleucid and RomanEmpires. The tiny Jewish nation was at war with all the large empires ofthe ancient world except for the Persians and the Parthians, with whomthey had treaties. This astounding phenomenon requires an explanation.There were peace groups during every era. In the Kingdom of Ephraim,there was certainly a group that demanded complete surrender to Assyria.In Judah there were many who sought peace, among them the greatprophets. During the Hellenistic period there were those who emulatedGreek ways, and during the Roman period there were those who agitatedfor peace with Rome, of this category those who supported Herod. Butnever were the peace activists successful in bringing about a situation ofvassalhood that lasted securely for any length of time. Sooner or laterrebellion always broke out, and the bitter end was not long in coming.