Diaspora, A Way of Initiation

Nowadays, the term “diaspora” is used for any ethnical dispersion forced or not. This tendency is due to recent Diaspora Studies, whose remote origin may be found in Jewish nationalism born in the late 19th century. But Jewish nationalism realized in the nation-state of Israel is opposite to the idea of diaspora. For diaspora is beyond nation, beyond nationalism. Following Armand Abécassis, a French philosopher, the true meaning of the term should be found in Genesis, especially in Abraham’s exile ordered by God. The story of God and Abraham shows that diaspora is not a physical movement but a spiritual one. It implies the discovery of one’s individual self and necessity to be in collectivity, sharing things and thoughts with others. Now, if diaspora means discovery of one’s individual self and sharing with others in collectivity, this may prove to be contradictory. Indeed, the apparent contradiction is included in diaspora. The Jew in diaspora proves to be and not to be simultaneously.