As a journalist for Newsday, John Steinbeck visited Israel in the 1960s and was inspired by the country's energy, patriotism, and military prowess, in contrast to what he saw as America's decline in vision and will.

In John Steinbeck's novel "East of Eden," the Hebrew word "timshel" is presented as an important concept, meaning "thou mayest" and representing free will and the possibility of redemption.