Theodor Herzl

Der Judenstaat. English Theodor Herzl

Der Judenstaat is a famous treatise by Theodor Herzl who sought to inspire the creation of the Jewish State, with the aim of securing lasting safety and prosperity for the Jewish people.

Written in 1896, Herzl's original document was accompanied by the subtitle: "Versuch einer modernen Lösung der Judenfrage" - in English: "Proposal of a modern solution for the Jewish question". Herzl's proposal contained ideas for the resettlement of the impoverished or marginalized Jews, as well as guidelines for the principles of the new state which would be their home.

Der Judenstaat was published in the wake of centuries of persecution and social stigma suffered by the Jews. Many Jewish people lived in poor ghettos, and were fearful of the anti-semitists, who at the time were numerous. In many European and near Eastern cities the situation was hostile, with Jews persecuted with violence, segregation and stigmatic abuse.

At the time Herzl wrote his treatise, the Rothchild banking family were involved in the resettlement of Jewish families. Herzl originally intended to deliver the contents of this book as a speech to the Rothschild banking family. However, privately Baron Edmond de Rothchild was opposed to aspects of Herzl's ideas which he felt could harm the Jewish peoples in the wider diaspora, threatening livelihoods and potentially upsetting settlements already built.

In spite of this, Herzl's document achieved popularity when it was published. He famously coined the term 'Zionism', and his book was influential in the early 20th century for spurring the cause of the Jewish State. In the wake of vigorous nationalist campaigns, the State of Israel was created in 1948.

This edition contains the respected translation to English from German by Sylvie d'Avigdor.