Page 19 - Core Beliefs For Intentional Community

From the International Communes Desk (ICD) Study Group

SHLICHUT – “Being sent on a Mission” CALL 37 - Winter 2013/14

On October 15, 2013 the International Communes Desk (ICD) studied some sources

behind the idea of Shlichut. The concept of shlichut was central in motivating the
kibbutz movement’s founding generation. It was also a major factor in the utopian
th
communes which sprang up in 19 century America. The many manifestations of
communes and communal movements at this time demonstrate that “hearing the call”
as an imperative to participate in “mission” is very much with us today.

The essence of the imperative nature of shlichut is that it propels to action – one
does not only “talk the talk”- one’s personal life is moved to “walk the walk”.

The idea of shlichut is intimately connected with the concept of Tikkun Olam - the
infinite process of repairing and transforming our world, “Spaceship Earth“, into a

better and sustainable home for all its inhabitants. Tikkun Olam will be the focus of a
future discussion to be held by the ICD.

The ICD examined three excerpts from Hebrew sources, one from the Bible and two
from the modern movement for Jewish renewal, the Zionist movement. Readers are

invited to contribute examples from sources originating in their cultures.

The archetypical shlichut of the biblical Abraham, whether history or myth,

generated a central strand in the history of Western civilization. Within the context
of the Zionist movement, Eliezer Ben Yehuda and Hannah Senesh relate how the

imperative nature of shlichut impacted on their personal lives.

Genesis 12: 1-4

1. The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s

household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name
great, and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples
on earth will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…

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