Yishai Sarid's novel "The Third" is a compelling piece of dystopian literature. It is set in a future where nuclear devastation has ravaged Israel's coastal cities, including Tel Aviv; the novel revolves around the rise and fall of the "Third Temple." The plot is ignited by a renegade astronomer who brings back divine revelation in the Negev, reverting to ancient religious practices and uniting the surviving people in the mountains.

In this dystopian era, the Israelis, referring to the Palestinians as "the Amalekites," drive them from the land, establishing a new kingdom led by the astronomer. They reconstruct the Third Temple and reinitiate worship there. However, within twenty-five years, the "New Kingdom of Israel" finds itself in another war with Arab nations, leading to the temple's destruction.

The narrative delves into the secular fears of  ”Tel Aviv, especially regarding religious extremism. It critiques the descent into corruption and moral decay under the guise of religious fervor. The novel explores the theme of messianic religious fundamentalism and its pervasive influence on life and consciousness, using religious texts and imagery to underscore this transformation.

The novel also addresses the internal conflict of Israeli identity, with the Palestinians' presence symbolizing this crisis. It contrasts the secularism of Tel Aviv with the religious fervor of Jerusalem and the mountains, scrutinizing the sanctity of these places with unflinching realism.

Towards the end, the extremist ideology collapses upon itself, revealing the sins and selfishness of its leader. The narrative warns of the societal dangers of unbridled zeal, particularly the misguided notion of sacrificing the innocent to appease divine wrath.

About the writer:

Yishai Sarid is an Israeli author, novelist, and lawyer.