Yeshayahu Leibowitz, " The Uniqueness of the Jewish People, Judaism, Human Values and the Jewish State," trans. by E. Goldman (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992).
Accordingly, the uniqueness of the Jewish people — also called the “holiness” of Israel — is not something that was given to the people as an abiding and an enduring possession, but is rather a demand, an assignment and a task with which they are charged — a goal toward which they are to strive eternally, without any guarantee of ever attaining it. The question is not, “Did God bestow holiness upon the Jewish people?” but rather, “Is the Jewish people striving toward holiness by assuming the yoke of Torah and Mitzvoth?” [E. Goldman translation]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to strive toward holiness?

2. What is the task?

3. What social justice themes emerge from this text?

Time Period: Contemporary (The Yom Kippur War until the present-day)