1. As used in the LC data base and in various internet sites found through Google, the term is used to refer to "Ultra-Orthodox Jews" (term established in LCSH, with UF from Hareidim) and/or Religious Zionists (term established in LCSH). Taken together, "Ultra Orthodox Jews" and "Religious Zionists" constitute Orthodox Jews (no class of persons established, but the movement is). All Orthodox Jews are either Religious Zionists or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, and occasionally both (being a new movement that combines the two). There are no Orthodox Jews who are associated with neither movement. This strongly suggests that "Jewish fundamentalism" should be UF to Orthodox Judaism. If used as a heading, it should have a scope note that distinguishes it from Orthodox Judaism, Religious Zionism and Ultra-Orthodox Jews (though I believe that such a note can not be written with reference to the sociological situation current in existence).
2. "Fundamentalism" as defined in a Christian context (as in LCSH) refers to a school of Biblical interpretation that rejects non-Biblical sources. Thus the Catholic Encyclopedia maintains that a Roman Catholic Fundamentalist is a contradiction in terms, even though many Catholics are conservatives whose beliefs and lifestyles are considered to be "fundamentalists", especially by those who disapprove of the Catholic Church's current leadership and policies - and LCSH does not use "Catholic fundamentalism" (which would refer to normal mainstream Catholics, i.e. those who support the Pope especially in "hot" issues such as abortion). Orthodox Judaism, similar to Catholicism, is largely defined by extra-Biblical sources (e.g. the "Oral law" such as the Talmuds). By the definition in the scope note for Fundamentalism, the only Jewish Fundamentalists are Jewish Christians (already in LCSH) who follow a Fundamentalism doctrine, or perhaps a small group called the Karites. 3. The literature and web searches indicate that "Jewish fundamentalism" is never used by those to whom the heading refers, which should be a warning to LC that the term might be considered offensive by the group to which it refers. It is a term used by certain secular Jews to mock Orthodox Jews. SUMMARY: The proposed heading for JEWISH FUNDAMENTALISM should be rejected. At most it should be a UF to Orthodox Judaism (reflecting literary usage). If established it should have a scope note, though I am dubious if one could define the term in a way distinct from existing headings. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
