We must distinguish between **Klal** (the collective) and **Prat** (the individual). The essence of a tree lies in its root and soul, rather than merely in the sum of its branches and leaves.
This principle applies to **Knesses Yisrael** (the collective spiritual entity of the Jewish people). The collective soul of Israel was created by God prior to individual Jews and possesses an inherent, divine nature.
A central distinction exists between the nationalism of Israel and that of other nations.
- Nationalism among other nations stems from **collective egoism**, where people unite for mutual benefit, protection, and power. Rooted in self-interest, this form inevitably leads to conflict, imperialism, or fascism. Its morality remains utilitarian, shaped by human needs for societal convenience.
- In contrast, Israel's nationalism rests on **supreme divine morality**. The nation's purpose extends beyond mere survival or statehood; it exists to manifest God's absolute morality in the world.
The purpose of the Exile from the Land of Israel receives explanation through a relevant passage. When ancient Israel possessed sovereignty and the Temple, the role was to serve as a moral beacon. Failure occurred through corruption by desires for power and adoption of immoral practices from surrounding nations, such as idolatry.
The Exile functions not solely as punishment, but as a divine remedy. By removing political power and statehood, it prevented Israel from devolving into another corrupt, aggressive nation. Over approximately 2,000 years, the absence of national sovereignty barred participation in national-level sins, such as unjust wars, compelling a complete focus on internal spiritual and moral purification through Torah study.
Modern secular Zionism faces sharp philosophical critique in the context of the return to the Land. The secular founders adopted a European, secular model of nationalism, aspiring for Jews to become "a nation like all other nations," centered on borders, economics, and military strength while discarding the divine moral foundation.
This approach proves incompatible, as the core "DNA" of the Jewish people remains spiritual. A purely secular, materialistic nationalism lacks substance and cannot endure long-term.
The current secular state serves as a temporary physical vessel. The ultimate aim involves those immersed in Torah study and divine purpose reinfusing the national body with its soul. True fulfillment arrives only when national life—encompassing politics, economics, and military affairs—aligns fully with supreme divine morality.
