Hurban ha-Nefesh: The Destruction of the Soul

 The final lecture examines Kaufmann’s daring essay “Hurban ha-Nefesh” (“The Destruction of the Soul”), which critiques a phenomenon he found as dangerous as antisemitism: the internalization of antisemitic accusations within Jewish life and Zionism. He targets “antisemitism from love” – the adoption of hostile diaspora stereotypes for national rhetoric – arguing it poisons the self-respect necessary for liberation. Instead, Kaufmann proposes a Zionist foundation grounded in historical dignity rather than shame. The lecture will end the series by connecting Kaufmann’s historical vision, biblical scholarship, and political thought into a unified portrait of a great modern Jewish mind. 

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