We Jews are deeply interested in our past. From ancient times to the present, we have a strong connection to our history. We recount stories of the Flood, the Exodus, the destruction of the Temples, the exile, the Middle Ages, the Inquisition, the pogroms, the Holocaust, and the establishment of the State of Israel. We share our history for inspiration, to strengthen our identity, to pass down our values to our children, and sometimes to justify our actions, or lack thereof, today.
Interestingly, there is no direct Hebrew word for “history.” In the Hebrew Bible, which is one of the earliest recorded histories of the Jewish people, the word “toldot” is used in genealogical contexts. While it is often translated as “generations,” a more accurate translation would be “chronicles” or “chronology.” Even the last book of the Hebrew Bible, known as Chronicles, primarily focuses on chronology and recounts the accomplishments of David and Solomon. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the pioneer of modern Hebrew, did not invent a Hebrew word for history either.
Therefore, when modern Hebrew speakers want to discuss “history” in the Western sense, they use the word “historia,” derived from Greek, meaning “to inquire into” or “knowledge acquired by investigation.” According to Ruvik Rosenthal, Israel’s leading social linguist, this adoption of a foreign word reflects the founders of Zionism’s desire to embrace both a vibrant Hebrew language and the academic world, where history is considered a scholarly discipline.
The absence of a unique Hebrew word for history also carries significant philosophical, theological, and religious implications. This viewpoint was notably expressed by the medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher Maimonides, who viewed the world in a non-historical manner. On the other hand, Yosef Haim Yerushalmi, a renowned Jewish historian from Columbia University, explored the differences between Greek and Jewish perspectives on history in his pivotal work “Zakhor.” While Greeks saw no ultimate meaning in history, Jews believe that historical events reveal God’s purpose for humanity and the consequences of Jewish rebellions against God.
Instead of focusing on history, Jews prioritize memory, known as “zikharon” in Hebrew. This emphasis on memory ensures that past events remain relevant in the present. In Jewish tradition, events are interpreted based on predetermined meanings, shaping which events are remembered and retold. This continuous relationship with God transcends time, with past events like the Ten Commandments and the Exodus being ever-present and relevant in contemporary life.
Rabbi and educator Moshe Silver highlights the importance of remembering history in shaping individual and collective Jewish identity. The memory of historical events serves as an ethical and theological foundation for Jewish life, guiding actions and values in the present.
Opening Picture: Moses on Mt. Sinai from Gustave Doré’s La Grande Bible.