Jewish Anti-Zionism as Political Theology: The Major Writings of Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum

Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar, one of the most celebrated Hasidic masters of the twentieth century, is known not only for founding the world’s largest Hasidic dynasty, but also for his strongly held anti-Zionist views. His work articulates a Jewish political theology against Zionism built on the foundations of traditional Jewish sources, and its influence remains strong within the ultra-Orthodox Satmar community and beyond. Dense with references to rabbinic, medieval, and modern sources, Teitelbaum’s writing is notoriously challenging even for scholars of Torah to parse. In this volume, Shaul Magid provides a richly annotated translation of selections from the books Vayoel Moshe and ‘Al Ha-Geulah ve ‘al Ha-Temurah, making Teitelbaum’s major political writings accessible to English-speaking readers for the first time.

Shaul Magid is Professor of Modern Jewish Studies in Residence at Harvard Divinity School. After spending time in various yeshivot in Israel, where he lived for a decade, and receiving rabbinical ordination in 1984, he went on to complete a master’s degree in Jewish thought from the Hebrew University and a Ph.D. in near eastern and Judaic studies from Brandeis University.

Magid’s research bridges centuries and disciplines, exploring topics from sixteenth-century Kabbalistic mysticism and Hasidism, including its spiritual ties to Christianity, to contemporary American Judaism, Jewish identity, race, and critical theory. His groundbreaking work engages a broad spectrum of readers, combining deep textual analysis with theoretical sophistication.

Magid is the author of nine books and more than 75 scholarly articles. He has also written over 150 essays, offering insight into the cultural, political, and spiritual dimensions of modern Jewish life. His writing has contributed significantly to broader conversations on religion, culture, and justice.

Wed, April 29, 2026 • 306 Royce Hall • 4 PM
Jewish Anti-Zionism as Political Theology: The Major Writings of Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum

Shaul Magid (Harvard Divinity School)

Respondents:
Leah Hochman (Hebrew Union College)
David N. Myers (UCLA)
Joshua Shanes (UC Davis)

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