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IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON:

FROM MODERN ORTHODOXY

TO RELIGIOUS ZIONISM
Rabbi Elie
Mischel

“One who asks: ‘What is my obligation?’ instead of Leumi, while thousands of young men delay college for five
‘What are my rights?’ lives in an entirely different world.” years to serve and learn Torah in Hesder programs. Last but
not least, think of the hundreds of Religious Zionist families
Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria
serving around the world as shlichim, inspiring Jews all over
the world with Torat Eretz Yisrael.
rowing up in America, the communities I lived in
were broadly labeled as both “Modern Orthodox” and Why has Modern Orthodoxy struggled to instill its young
“Religious Zionist”, with the two unwieldy terms often people with a willingness to serve and sacrifice on behalf of
Gconflated into an even longer and more complicated the community? And why has the Religious Zionist community
label. A quick Google search reveals the awkwardness: “As wildly succeeded where Modern Orthodoxy has not? The
Modern Orthodox-Religious Zionist educators…”; “Modern answer to these questions is critical to our community’s future.
Orthodox, Religious Zionist rabbis condemn hate…”
Though often used interchangeably (even in this magazine), “The IDF draws its unique strength not only from its
the dominant identities of our communities in America and rigorous training but from generations of Jews who were
Israel are clearly different: Americans identify primarily as
Modern Orthodox and Israelis as Religious Zionist. And while educated to sacrifice for spiritual ideals and place the
they appear to be very similar, a year of living in Israel has needs of the nation above their own.”
convinced me that the two communities, though outwardly Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria
alike, are profoundly different in ways that cut to the core of
who we are and what we believe. What, precisely, does Modern Orthodoxy stand for? The subject
of hundreds of academic and philosophical articles over the last
Over the last few decades, the Modern Orthodox community 75 years, defining Modern Orthodoxy is notoriously difficult. In
has experienced a powerful religious revival. Once it became broad strokes, its primary concern is how to interact with the
de rigueur for high school graduates to study in Israel for a year broader, non-Jewish world, forging a middle ground between
or more, the community admirably became more attentive to the indiscriminate acceptance of contemporary culture on
religious observance and increased its commitment to Torah the one hand and the complete rejection of contemporary
study. culture on the other. It is a complex approach to Jewish living,
At the same time, the community continues to suffer from committed to a life of Torah and mitzvot while also open to the
a distinct lack of passion and self-sacrifice. As every Modern best that the secular world has to offer, seeking the gray when
Orthodox yeshivah day school principal knows, it is nearly others see only black and white.
impossible to find enough qualified Modern Orthodox Torah In short, Modern Orthodoxy is a sophisticated attitude towards
educators, as few young people wish to sacrifice more lucrative modern life, an attitude I wholeheartedly embrace. But an
careers for the difficult and underpaid life of a morah or rebbe. attitude is not the same thing as a movement – and herein
And how many talented young pulpit rabbis are willing to move lies the critical difference between Modern Orthodoxy and
to smaller, “out of town” communities? Painful as it is to admit, Religious Zionism.
shlichut is not a priority in the Modern Orthodox community.
A movement moves people towards a common objective; it is
Tellingly, Modern Orthodoxy’s weakness is Religious Zionism’s a source of passion and energy and inspires them to act and
greatest strength. Although the Israeli Religious Zionist sacrifice on its behalf. Movements, religious or otherwise, bring
community has its challenges, the community stands out in its masses of people together to achieve a deeply meaningful goal.
passionate dedication to Am Yisrael. I am in awe of the hundreds
of thousands of Religious Zionist families who consistently Modern Orthodoxy, like a pair of glasses, helps us navigate
put themselves in harm’s way to ensure our Biblical heartland the complexities of modern life – as individuals. But it is not an
is not lost to our enemies. In parallel, thousands of idealistic animating set of beliefs with the power to inspire and drive our
young Religious Zionists choose to live in run-down and community forward. It doesn’t provide our community with a
mixed neighborhoods throughout Israel in Garinim Torani’im, compelling, overarching mission with the power to unite and
revitalizing scores of towns and cities throughout the Land. inspire. Is it any wonder that Modern Orthodox communities
Religious Zionist youth are the backbone of the IDF and Sherut struggle to find people who are willing to sacrifice on its behalf?

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