On the Eve of Redemption

"On the Eve of Redemption" by S. M. Melamed is a collection of essays from the early 1900s contemplating Jewish nationalism and Zionism during a time of huge world changes. The book deals with the hopes and difficulties of Jewish people, especially related to Zionist ideas and the search for their own country. The beginning of the book sets the stage for a deep look into how Judaism connects with nationalism, using history and philosophy. Melamed talks about how World War I greatly changed the world, causing Jewish identity and the desire for their own rule to become more important. He compares how Jewish people lived in the past to what was happening politically at the time, leading to a conversation about the need to renew their nation and bring back Jewish culture, mainly by going back to Palestine.