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Don’t misunderstand me – the older I get, the more I appreciate Redemption. It is the engine that drives Religious Zionism, the
the American Modern Orthodox communities that so warmly vision that gives its adherents the strength to sacrifice and
embraced my ba’al teshuva family and played such a critical overcome! It demands humility and patience, for we do not
role in my upbringing. I was blessed to be raised among people know when the process will be complete. It forces us to live
who value complexity and individuality, where curiosity and for the klal, for something far bigger than ourselves. But most
wide reading are celebrated and for whom Torah education of all, it obligates us – to move forward, to act, to do our part to
for girls mattered just as much as that of the boys. bring it closer. Religious Zionism is mission-driven Judaism;
it calls upon each of us, wherever we may be, to partner with
And yet, as the years go by, I am convinced that by primarily
identifying as Modern Orthodox, we have lost sight of the G-d in bringing redemption; in other words, to be shlichim!
bigger picture of Jewish destiny and the unique role we are Strange as it may sound, Religious Zionism shares more in
meant to play in Am Yisrael. For that, we must turn to Religious common with Chabad than Modern Orthodoxy. Though the
Zionism. two movements have obvious differences, it is no accident
that they each prioritize sending shlichim all over the world,
“A new generation requires a new light.” for both Chabad and Religious Zionism believe that we must
do everything in our power to bring redemption closer. This
Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria is what gives young Chabad couples the strength to move to
remote corners of the world, and this is what drives young
Unlike Modern Orthodoxy, Religious Zionism is undeniably
a movement – a movement that is changing the course of Religious Zionists to settle remote hilltops and decrepit
Jewish history. neighborhoods. Geulah!
Religious Zionism provides an overarching view of Jewish
history, explaining where we are today and offering a “The greatest revolution is the revolution of the heart!”
blueprint for the future. Its leading thinkers agree that Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria
we are currently living through a momentous moment in This is not, G-d forbid, a rejection of the teachings of Modern
history: the ingathering of the exiles and the beginning of Orthodoxy, nor a diatribe about making Aliyah (at least not
our final redemption. But unlike the redemption from Egypt, in this essay!). As Religious Zionists, we believe that settling
the final redemption will transpire slowly, over time. “Rav and building the land are key to bringing redemption. But we
Chiyah Rabah and Rav Shimon ben Chalafta were walking also believe that Jews in the Diaspora can play a crucial role
in the valley of Arbel just before dawn and they saw the first by enthusiastically working on behalf of Am Yisrael and Eretz
lights of the coming dawn piercing the sky. Rav Chiyah Rabah Yisrael; there is much to accomplish on the way back home.
said to Rav Shimon ben Chalafta, ‘So will be the redemption
of the Jewish people – at the beginning little by little, but This is a call for a change in identity – a revolution of the heart!
as it continues it will grow bigger and bigger’” (Yerushalmi, When people ask what kind of Jews we are, let us answer
Berachot 4b). proudly: “We are Religious Zionists!” Let us become Jews who
learn the Torah of Eretz Yisrael, and Jews who yearn to return
Why must the final redemption occur slowly? Religious
Zionists believe that G-d is calling us to join Him in home. And most of all, wherever in the world we may be, let
partnership, so that we may play an active role in our own us accept the holy mission of shlichut, and do our part to bring
redemption. During the Exodus, we were an immature nation, the final redemption!
spiritual ‘children’ incapable of playing a meaningful part in ּ ה ָל ָא ְג י ִ ׁש ְפ ַנ-ל ֶא ה ָב ְר ָק
our redemption from slavery. But now, as we draw closer to
the end of history, we have matured; we are ready to assume Draw my soul close to redemption!
our place as ‘equal partners’ in geulah. Rabbi Elie Mischel is the Editor of HaMizrachi magazine. (PHOTO: HOWIE MISCHEL)

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