Religious Perspective Highlights Central Role of Settling the Land of Israel in Jewish Life

Jewish sages have long praised the Land of Israel, emphasizing its unique spiritual significance. The Ramban taught that Torah observance in exile serves only as a sign until the return to the land. The mitzvah (commandment) of settling the land is not merely about agricultural or peripheral settlement but concerns the full integration of Torah values into all aspects of public life. Living in Israel allows the Jewish people to fulfill their ultimate mission of uniting heaven and earth, as Torah shapes not only private and communal life but the entire national reality.

In exile, Torah influences family and community but does not permeate the public sphere, limiting its full expression. The national environment in exile is shaped by foreign cultures, resulting in a spiritual exile even when physically present outside Israel. Only in Israel, as an independent nation guided by Torah, can the Jewish people realize their full divine purpose. The concept of "Torah with Derech Eretz" (Torah with worldly engagement) is uniquely actualized in Israel, where sacred work and everyday labor together create a Torah-based society.

The Hatam Sofer emphasized that settling the land includes not only agriculture but also mastering crafts and professions to establish a self-sufficient economy rooted in Torah values. Revitalizing barren areas and settling places not fully controlled by Israel are important but not the mitzvah's ultimate goal. True fulfillment comes from sanctifying all public life sectors, including medicine and engineering, by those who fear God.

Historically, many early builders of the land were devout Jews who saw settlement as a practical expression of Torah ideals, such as the founders of Petah Tikva, who combined religious study with acquiring practical skills. Today, the mitzvah continues through settlement and economic development conducted within Torah boundaries. When Torah permeates all aspects of Israeli life, the people fulfill the Torah's ultimate purpose in the land.

This article appeared in the Achvata newsletter distributed across Israel, which can be requested via WhatsApp or email for further study.