The Jews in Europe came to play the role of political brokers. They recapitulated in modern guise the role they played as ancient Israelites, mediating the political and military contests between the greater powers in the region.
The teachings of the Bible prepare the Children of Israel for such a mediating role by way of their entering into covenant with YHWH. The problem with the Jews of early 20th century Europe was that they didn't know their own internal covenantal relationship, and so they began to disintegrate once the context for their mediation began to disintegrate.
It is not clear a people in exile can reasonably expect to play the role of power mediator, at least not without a substantial measure of self-possession and self-knowledge.
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