Zionism is often portrayed as a political movement begun in Europe as a result of persecution during the 19th and 20th centuries. But Zionism is not just a political movement. It is a religious and deeply spiritual part of the Jewish religion. In fact, without Zionism Judaism can not and will never exist. Even when we the Jewish people lived primarily in the exile it was our spiritual call to our homeland and our relationship with this beloved place that kept us pinning for the day when we would be “zoche” worthy to return to our land.

For 2000 years our ancestors would pray three times a day during the shmoneh esreh (amidah) the most important prayers that one day God will return us to the land of our fathers. Jews born in Poland, Russia, Morocco and Tunisia among others knew that their birth in a foreign land was a result of persecution and lack of freedom. We knew that the correct place for us is the Land of Our Fathers – the Land of Israel. At the end of World War II, many had had enough and decided to return to the place where we began. But this call is not just a call of physical survival but also spiritual survival. Abraham our father began his relationship with God when God commanded him “lech lecha” go for yourself to the land that I will give you and your descendants, to the land of Israel.

Throughout our history we the Jewish people have lived in the land surviving aggressions and expulsions. When ever the Jews were expelled from our land we pinned for it. Our spirits became fallen and broken. We became desolate. Our land under rulers also misses us. When foreign dictators conquer our land it becomes a barren wasteland. It gives no fruit and becomes undesirable. Upon our return the land blossoms and grows into a garden. In Israel today, we export tulips to Holland!

Today’s situation…...

In my opinion, just as Zionism is not just a political arrangement, and is really a spiritually intrinsic part of Judaism and the Jewish people, the present problem of violence and peace negotiations can never be solved through politics alone. We the Jewish people are being faced with a spiritual crisis, not just a political one. And our response needs to be spiritual as well as political. I believe that the question we are being asked is if we believe that we really have a right to this land and whether we are willing to assert this right on the stage of world opinion, demanding not requesting this right to our land. What further complicates this situation is the fact that this right to our land comes only from the Torah. And therefore we must also answer in passing whether we believe in this Torah of ours or not. If we are able to answer that we do as a nation believe in the Torah then we do have a right to the land. If not, our sovereignty over the land is only at the discretion of the other nations (United Nations) which can give and take the land however they see fit. I strongly believe that we should assert our right over all of the land  of Israel and that this will become the only way for us to survive as a people.

As long as we avoid this conversation, unfortunately things will become worse until we are forced  to realize that our destiny is with the Torah and with Israel.