Single Idea 7345

[catalogued under 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 2. Judaism]

Full Idea

In exile the Jews, deprived of a state, became a nomocracy - voluntarily submitting to rule by a Law which could only be enforced by consent. Nothing like this had occurred before in history.

Clarification

'Nomos' is the Greek word for law

Gist of Idea

In exile the Jews became a nomocracy

Source

Paul Johnson (The History of the Jews [1987], Pt II)

Book Reference

Johnson,Paul: 'A History of the Jews' [Phoenix 1993], p.83


A Reaction

It is the most remarkable case in history of a people united and strengthened by adversity, and it became an important experiment in the building of human cultures. But what is the point of preserving a culture, with no land? Why not just integrate?