ABSTRACT
A sovereign Jewish state with a growing population offered a homeland to the Jews of the world. Hebrew was the official language and Hebrew literature nationally encouraged. Book production was to leap forward, particularly in the years following the declaration of the State, when the population increased so massively. Israeli writers sought to match the radical reorientation of Jewry and Israel with a spirit in literature. Hebrew literature was the expression of an independent people in its own land, not the interest of small groups in foreign countries where Jews were but a tolerated minority. The periodicals issue the programme, make the statements and provide platforms for the younger writers. Hebrew poetry derives much of its power from conducting a dialogue with its own sources.
