Q&A: Holiness in the State?
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Holiness in the State?
Question
Do you think there is religious value / holiness in the State of Israel? In other words, is there any religious value in being a partner in the state and acting on its behalf (serving in the army, working, paying taxes, etc.)?
Answer
That depends on what you call religious value. There is moral value in being a loyal citizen of your state and defending it, in Belgium and in Tanzania too. And moral behavior has religious value. The same applies in Israel.
Discussion on Answer
Because the Holy One, blessed be He, expects us to be moral. That’s part of serving Him.
What makes you think the Holy One, blessed be He, wants that from us? Where did He tell you that?
In the Torah, for example: “And you shall do what is right and good.” And also by reason.
“Moral behavior has religious value.”
Why?