The Rise of Jewish Piety and Modern Islamism

The Resurgence of Jewish Piety

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Jewish outreach movements, such as Arachim and Chabad’s kiruv (outreach) efforts, sought to reconnect secular Jews with their religious heritage. These initiatives emphasized strict adherence to Halacha (Jewish law), a return to tradition, and a rejection of modern secularism. These changes often introduced greater stringency in daily life, such as in dietary laws, Sabbath observance, and modesty codes.

This movement was part of a broader global trend in which religion reasserted itself as a defining force in identity and politics. For Jews, the resurgence of piety brought with it a reclaiming of spirituality, but also a worldview that often viewed modern secular values, and at times non-Jewish culture, as threats.

The Ripple Effect: How Jewish Piety Affected the Muslim World

The rise of Jewish piety inspired admiration among some in the Muslim world, particularly among religious leaders seeking to preserve Islamic traditions in a rapidly modernizing world. Jewish religious revival was perceived as evidence of the power of faith to resist secularization. However, it also contributed to the deepening divide between religious and secular spheres in the broader Middle East, with unintended consequences.

1. Reinforcement of Religious Identity as a Political Tool

The global rise in Jewish piety paralleled the resurgence of Islamic identity during the same period. As Jews visibly recommitted to religious practices and traditions, Islamist leaders interpreted this as a call to deepen their own religious commitments to counter Westernization and secularism. The Teshuva movement’s emphasis on returning to God was mirrored by Islamic calls for a return to Sharia (Islamic law). Leaders like Ayatollah Khomeini and later Islamist thinkers like Sayyid Qutb emphasized that Islamic identity must be the basis of social and political life, inspired in part by observing other faiths’ ability to resist secular encroachments.

2. Tensions over “Chosen-ness” and Religious Exceptionalism

The theological emphasis on Jewish “chosen-ness,” as promoted by some outreach movements, presented a challenge to interfaith relations. For Islamist thinkers, this was often interpreted as a claim of Jewish superiority and exclusivity. In turn, Islamist ideologies adopted increasingly oppositional stances, framing their movements as protectors of Islam against perceived Jewish religious dominance.

Some Islamist leaders weaponized this narrative, arguing that the rise in Jewish piety was not simply about personal spirituality but about reinforcing a global religious hierarchy in which Islam was subjugated. This perception of competition further fueled Islamist movements’ urgency to assert the supremacy of Islam on the world stage.

3. Polarization in Multicultural Societies

The spread of Jewish piety also contributed to the polarization of multicultural societies, particularly in Europe and the United States, where growing Jewish religiosity and increased visibility of Islamic practices often clashed with secular liberal norms. Jewish communities’ increased advocacy for kosher certification, public eruvin (enclosures for Sabbath observance), and separate religious spaces inspired similar demands from Muslim communities for halal certification and accommodation of Islamic practices. This led to societal tensions, with secular authorities struggling to balance competing religious needs.

The visibility of Jewish piety also amplified Islamists’ rhetoric about religious rights being inherently unequal. For example, they argued that Jewish communities were granted greater accommodation in Western societies, while Muslims faced discrimination. This narrative deepened a sense of victimhood among some Muslims, driving support for Islamist ideologies that sought to challenge Western double standards.

Encouragement of Stringency in Islamic Law

The rise in Jewish stringencies in areas such as modesty, dietary laws, and ritual practices provided a model for Islamist movements to advocate similar stringencies in Islamic law. Some religious leaders in the Muslim world pointed to Jewish outreach organizations and their success in bringing secular Jews back to faith as evidence that strict religious adherence could thrive in a modern context. This reinforced calls for a more stringent interpretation of Sharia, including restrictions on women’s roles, public morality, and religious practices.

For instance, Jewish emphasis on gender separation in schools and public spaces was mirrored by Islamic movements advocating stricter segregation and modesty laws. In both cases, religion was framed as a bulwark against Western liberal values, with Jewish piety inadvertently bolstering the argument for Islamism’s revival.

A Global Cycle of Religious Extremism

While the rise of Jewish piety was largely a movement of personal and communal faith, its unintended consequence was the empowerment of Islamist narratives that positioned religion as a response to modernity. Both movements emerged as part of a global pushback against secularism, creating a cycle in which religious groups fed off each other’s stringency and rhetoric.

As Jewish communities visibly increased their religiosity, this gave Islamist movements the justification to argue for the importance of Islamic revival. Conversely, the growing assertiveness of Islamist ideologies created anxieties within Jewish communities, leading to greater investment in religious education and outreach, perpetuating the cycle.

Conclusion

The rise in Jewish piety, while primarily focused on spiritual renewal, had far-reaching implications beyond the Jewish community. Its visible success inspired and, in some ways, enabled the growth of Islamism as a competing religious force in the modern world. While Jewish outreach movements sought to preserve identity and faith, their impact underscored the interconnectedness of global religious revivalism. Understanding these dynamics is essential for addressing the complex interplay of religion, identity, and politics in today’s world. Recognizing the unintended consequences of religious revival is a crucial step in fostering mutual understanding and reducing polarization in a deeply interconnected world.