THE PERSONAL PROMISED LAND

The Promised Land of the Books of Moses has established itself as a part of an inner world of legends and longings. Even though "Next year in Jerusalem" forms part of the traditional congratulations exchanged every year at Pesach it does not necessarily reflect a concrete wish to meet in that city, but is an expression of a bond linking Jews geographically as well as historically. It could be said that it has become the norm for Jews to live in Diaspora: that is to live within ones own culture and adapt to foreign countries. In other words, Jews have found a home in homelessness.

The fact that one's ancestors could just as well have immigrated to another country does make a difference. In this case they came to Denmark and that worked out well. However the fact that the choice was more or less fortuitous still deeply affects many Danish Jews.