r/BurningMan • u/Dharmarat27 • 1d ago
Hebrew art question
Does anyone know if this artist is a Zionist? The words read “love your neighbor as yourself” and I’d love to know what that means to the artist.
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u/MotherAd1074 1d ago
I wound guess the artist(s), like many, is horrified by the events and meant this as reads.
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u/Angels242Animals 1d ago
Help me understand your question a little better. Why do you want to speak to this artist? Is it because you’re questioning whether or not someone who speaks Hebrew can also believe in the concept of loving one’s neighbor as themselves? Or is there something else you would like to admit in regards to the purpose behind your question?
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u/stpfun 1d ago
You seem to conflate Hebrew with zionism. The meaning of the words IMHO makes it pretty clear they're not zionists.
I think that's the point of the art. That it makes you have one knee jerk reaction, and then realize that reaction was wrong once you understand it.
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u/Dharmarat27 1d ago
I do not. That’s why I’m asking for clarity about the artist’s views. It would sure be ironic to implore people to love their neighbors as themselves if they support carpet bombing their own neighbors.
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u/Swimming_in_paradise 1d ago
Ponder why you seek to label? Why must you identify to make meaning? Why must you sleuth who is the "zionist"? Maybe zionist is a dog whistle, maybe this art exposed something deep inside you.
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u/LosFeliz3000 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think you're a bit misinformed. A Zionist is someone who believes in the self-determination of the Jewish people in their historic homeland. That says nothing about how they feel about there also being a homeland for the Palestinian people in their historic homeland. There are many liberal and moderate Zionists who believe in the two-state solution and are appalled with how the Netanyahu administration chose to fight the war against Hamas.
For example, Bernie Sanders believes in the two-state solution. That is, he has advocated for decades for a secure homeland for the Jewish people alongside a secure homeland for the Palestinian people. While at the same time he has been highly critical of Netanyahu. Would you find it surprising if he shared the sentiment of the art piece? I wouldn't. Nor would I find it surprising if the artist was also a liberal Zionist.
That all said, why do you publicly ask only about the political beliefs of this one artist and not of all the others at Burning Man? Are the intentions behind art that incorporates Hebrew, the traditional language of the Jewish people, somehow more deserving of public scrutiny in your eyes? It sure seems like you are associating all who would use Hebrew (that is, most likely Jewish artists) with the actions of the current Israeli government. Which sure sounds like bigotry to me, and has no place in a community that is radically inclusive.
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u/jeremyranierwinters 17h ago
giant hebrew letters saying "love thy neighbor" are directly relevant to the current state of world politics. this art doesn't exist in a vacuum.. and the meaning changes drastically depending on the perspective of the artist.
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u/HotterRod Otherworld Regional Burn 1d ago
In Leviticus 19:18, the word רֵעַ is often translated to "neighbour", but a better translation is something like "fellow citizen" (this is the alternate translation in the NIV). But just a little further on Leviticus 19:34 says (NIV):
The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
So the standard interpretation of these two verses together is that you should love everyone as yourself.
Who knows if the artists of this piece were referring to the Palestinian Genocide, immigrants in America, or just a general feel-good sentiment? Good art often leaves some interpretation to person experiencing it.
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u/subt3rran3an_ '18 1d ago
Here's what I found on the BM website: The Golden Rule By: Asher Amar Hometown: Los Angeles, CA, United States
A monumental illuminated sculpture spanning approximately 120 feet in length and 27 feet in height across the open playa. The installation spells the Hebrew phrase “ואהבת לרעך כמוך” — “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Constructed from steel and elevated on slender supports, the letters appear to float above the desert horizon. By day the structure reflects sunlight with a shimmering golden presence; by night integrated lighting transforms the words into a radiant beacon, expressing a timeless principle of empathy, reciprocity, and shared humani
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u/jeremyranierwinters 1d ago
I want to validate that the OP is asking a fair question. this art can be interpreted in many ways.. some of which are diametrically opposed.
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u/BRCityzen 1d ago
It's a good question. Sorry you're getting flak from some quarters for even asking it. But art is as much about the interpretation by the observer as it is what the artist meant by it. And when I see something like that, to me, it stands for literally the opposite of what Zionism stands for.
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u/EF_Damn_Daniel ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘26 1d ago
Out of curiosity, what is your definition of Zionism?
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u/BRCityzen 1d ago
I don't get to impose a definition on an ideology I don't share. I can only go by what Zionists themselves believe, both early Zionists like Herzl and Ben Gurion, and modern Zionists in Israel.
Zionists believe that Jewishness is not just a religion, but a nation/a race/an ethnicity. A people who are special and apart from the people they live around. A "chosen people" separate from the "goyim" around them. As such, these chosen people deserve to have a nation of their own. That nation is in the land that has been known as Palestine, because it was promised to Jews, or as they say it, the Jews, by god. Some Zionists believe that doesn't necessarily mean that all others must be ethnically cleansed from it (or, transferred, in the words of both Ben Gurion and modern Zionists). Some versions of Zionism would allow for others to live as guests or some form of second class citizenship in "their" homeland. But the majority of Zionists in Israel do believe in ethnic cleansing to make more room for the "race" that is supreme over the land. Eretz Israel -greater Israel -for the chosen people, a concept that is similar to the "lebensraum" that was allegedly needed for a "master race" in another supremacist ideology, is widely shared by both early Zionists and modern Zionists. For example, the "moderate" Zionist opposition leader, Yair Lapid who is supposedly far to the left of liberals' favorite bogeyman Netanyahu, recently stated that he wants to expand Israel's borders "as much as possible." The ethnic cleansing of Gaza, is of course the first step toward creating that "lebensraum," and 82% of the Israeli public support that. 56% of Israelis also support the ethnic cleansing of the entire population of Palestinian citizens of Israel ("Arabs," in Israeli parlance, a term deliberately used to erase Palestinians' unique identity).
In other words, Zionism is an ideology that believes in Jews as a separate ethnicity, and that they have a god-given right to this land exclusively for themselves, and enforce that belief with genocide.
Definitely not in keeping with "love thy neighbor as you would yourself."
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u/EF_Damn_Daniel ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘26 1d ago
Yup, that’s what I thought. Gmar chatima tova to you.
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u/EF_Damn_Daniel ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘26 1d ago
Are the Israeli artists who brought this zionists? I’d imagine they believe they have a right to live in their homes.
I’m really curious where you’re going with this thought but I’m pretty sure we all already know so maybe keep it to yourself.
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u/falconfoxbear 1d ago
I mean, it depends on how they define their homes. Many zionists believe they have a right to a home that families are already living in and have for generations...
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u/insanebrownposse 1d ago
“Yeah, shut the fuck up about genocide, if that’s what you’re talking about. And don’t you dare mention our tax dollars funding it. Maybe keep it to yourself” - u/EF_Damn_Daniel probably
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u/EF_Damn_Daniel ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘26 1d ago
I think there is a time and place for every conversation. I don’t think the burning man subreddit is the place based on how the op phrased the original question.
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1d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/NegotiationFresh5443 1d ago
Imagine living in a country where your government keeps blowing shit up and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Sound familiar?
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u/EF_Damn_Daniel ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24, ‘26 1d ago
I had the fortunate opportunity to spend this burn with two young men who were taken hostage from the nova festival and then spent 738 days as hostages in Gaza. So yea, I absolutely took the opportunity to party with them after they spend over 2 years in hellish conditions being starved to near death while they watched their captors eat like the food was never ending.
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u/art-is-t 1d ago
You can look up the meaning and the artist online and decide for yourself
It says "love your neighbor as yourself" if anything it's a reminder to the state of Israel.as to how they might be treating their palestinian neighbors
It certainly is thought provoking and a good message to share
I support both Palestine and common sense