If all you know about modern Israel comes fun historical novels like Leon Uris’ Exodus, then you may not be aware that the kibbutz movement has died. This didn’t happen overnight, but the recent overwhelming vote of the first kibbutz in Israel to dissolve the cooperative nature of their community might be viewed as the singing of the fat lady. Kibbutzim are based on a philosophy elsewhere known as communism. This failed in eastern Europe and Russia and it has failed here as well. There’s a fundamental problem with a system that depends upon the goodness of people to perform rather than upon an incentive approach. Ever since the fall, man has understood a basic point: if you work, you eat. If you work harder, you eat more. This isn’t true in every situation, but in general, the principle holds. Kibbutzim denied this principle with the philosophy that everyone eats the same amount regardless of how hard or how well they work. There were some unique realities that made the kibbutz approach work for a while, but that time has past. Now kibbutzniks are fed up with those who eat and don’t work.
Anyway, I didn’t plan to do more than to suggest that those interested in the demise of the kibbutz read this interesting article in Haaretz. The community where I live (as a renter, not a member) is currently in the midst of privatizing as well.
So the kibbutz is kaputs… I love the “aha” moment at the end of that article that says: “Suddenly the kibbutz discovered that people are willing to work more in order to earn more.” The Einstein story was cute too.
I’m curious; what direction are the Moshav’s heading? Are they declining, or increasing? Is there a new trend for community living that is taking it’s place?
I remember when our class went to En Gev for a couple days during IBEX. Joe (the guy who didn’t sleep at night, but during class and managed to ACE every test) asked the management guy “Is the Kibbutz movement fading out?” Man, that guy was not happy with the question. Joe is a genius.
No way, people don’t like the philosophy, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”?
I don’t think Paul would approve of Kibbutzim, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”(2 Thess. 3:10)
Interesting:
“The conveniences of kibbutz life caused many of the members to stop working so hard and to depend on others. An ugly atmosphere was created between those who worked more and those who worked less, which member Chen Vardi called “moral corruption.” The principle of equality was so badly undermined that it almost evaporated, and it has been replaced by an emphasis on the individual and on compensation. From now on a person will work according to his ability and will be compensated accordingly. If he works, he’ll receive something in return. If he works more, he’ll receive more. If he doesn’t work, he’ll receive the minimum. ”
I’m going through Animal Farm with my students and this is somewhat of a key theme in the book. Communism seems good on the surface, with all the talk of equality, but beneath the surface is a horrible idea. You supposedly eliminate the class system that everyone hated, but in the end, you have the class system that you had before: Owners and Workers, rather than just Owners.
Sounds like the Kibbutz is going the way of democracy/capitalism, with a little socialism (taking care of the poor, elderly, and needy) mixed in. Not a bad idea.
Off-topic: I hope you can write a post on the James Cameron documentary on Jesus’ supposed coffin.
D-Rob (#2),
I wish I was there to hear Joe make that comment…all I remember was that kibbutz En Gev was great (you, me and Vince watching soccer…who knew it could be so fun). Did you go on the rafting trip down the Jordan…we got a litte turned around.
Matt
I didn’t go on that trip. But En Gev was awesome…Gladiator was pretty sweet too. And venting about liberal world news TV!
Ross – the same thing is happening with moshavim as with kibbutzim – they are going private. That is the trend – people like to earn what they work for, instead of pooling it and getting an equal amount.
Todd, on an unrelated topic, could you comment on James Cameron’s announcement about “having found the bones of Jesus and his son” today?
Jonathan and Stratkey – I put more general topics like the “Jesus tomb” on the BiblePlaces Blog:
http://blog.bibleplaces.com/
i was in kibbutz galed or even yizhaq i went to no wat happent to no this kibbutz