India studies are offered in Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University and Haifa University. Most of these courses are focused on ancient India and its various aspects like religion and philosophy.
From the Mahabharata and other Indian scriptures, translated in Hebrew, to courses on Indian religion in Israeli universities, the Israelis are increasingly learning more about Indian culture, which they say is a lot like their own.
Apart from research, innovation and agriculture, cultural connect has also emerged as one of the important points of contact between the two nations. Scriptures such as the Geeta, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana have been translated in Hebrew. There are disciplines on Indian religion in Israeli universities that prove increased interest in Indian culture.
India studies are offered in Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University and Haifa University. Most of these courses are focused on ancient India and its various aspects like religion and philosophy.
“The greatest texts that human beings produced are in Sanskrit and in Hebrew. None greater and none more enduring and we never forget this,” visiting PM Benjamin Netanyahu himself said.
Talking to DNA on the sidelines of the Israeli PM’s visit to India, Dror Eydar, a writer from Israel who works in the field of religion and culture, said, “In order to understand the culture in a better way, there is a need to understand the civilization and culture, and scriptures are helpful in understanding that. With the two countries working on improving their relations, people are showing more interest in learning about Indian religion and scriptures.”
“Just like Israel, India has a great civilization which dates back to thousands of years. This makes people from Israel more interested in the Indian culture and religion. I have read the Mahabharata and there are some instances that are similar to the Bible. For example, the story of Karna and Moses are quite similar. Both were abandoned by their mothers and were raised by a different set of parents. The difference is that Karna was already a God who was raised by a normal family and Moses was a normal man raised by a Princess,” he added.
As a part of the Israeli-Indian joint study programme, religious study is one of the major programmes going on in Israeli universities. A representative from Tel Aviv University said, “With the two countries increasing diplomatic ties, we have seen an increased interest in students learning about Indian culture. In fact, short-term courses on India are also attended by diplomats because earning about religion and culture is the best way to know a country.”
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