What if the survival and strength of our people depended on something more fundamental than just survival in a hostile world? What if our salvation lies in reconnecting with something deeper within us—something as eternal as our soul?
The West may have forsaken its trinity, but we cannot afford to forsake our three basics. In the face of a worldwide resurgence of anti-Semitism, we are being compelled—just as we were at Mount Sinai, when the mountain loomed over us, urging our acceptance—to return to our sacred core identity.
Our holy trinity—Torah, Land, and People—is the secret to the eternal Jewish soul. These sacred elements offer us Divine protection, empowering us as a Nation to unite humanity as a family of nations, each with distinct abilities and contributions to the world.
What if the key to our future is hidden in the very essence of our identity—Torah, Land, and People?
Rabbi Kook: “The mission of Israel is Torah, Land, and People.”
These three elements are not just abstract ideals or philosophical concepts—they are the corner stone of Jewish identity, survival, and divine destiny. Through the deep and inseparable connection between the Torah, the Land of Israel, and the Jewish People, we are called to fulfill our purpose: to bring peace, justice, and spiritual enlightenment to the world.
Torah: The Eternal Light of the Jewish Soul
The Torah is the soul of the Jewish people, our guiding light, and the cornerstone of our divine purpose. For millennia, it has sustained us through exile, providing wisdom, strength, and hope. More than just a collection of stories and laws, the Torah is the core of our identity, our unbroken connection to God, and the blueprint for our redemption.
Today, the spread of Torah is now more accessible than ever. Through publications, educational institutions, community programs, global conferences, radio and television, and especially the internet, a profound spiritual revival is taking place. This widespread accessibility is empowering Jews around the world to connect through the timeless wisdom of Torah.
“The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
We are witnessing the fulfillment of this vision. The Torah, once confined to specific locations and groups, now flows freely across the globe, reaching hearts and minds with a simple click. Jews, as the descendants of those who prioritized the soul’s duties over the desires of the heart, have always sought to integrate the physical and spiritual to transcend the limitations of earthly existence. This is not just a technological shift—it is the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, drawing the Jewish people closer to their ultimate purpose.
Torah Brings Out the Best in Us
There’s a clear chasm between the idealistic young soldiers of the IDF and people who suffer from a sense of entitlement, where the focus is on what can be gained rather than what can be given. This mindset leads to a deep disregard for the values that cultivate respect, sacrifice, and growth. Those who struggle with purpose approach their responsibilities on autopilot, disconnected from a higher calling.
In contrast, the IDF soldiers, guided by faith and a deep sense of duty, embody the ideal of sacrificing for something far greater than themselves, seeing their service as a Divine calling. Torah radiates, especially in IDF officers from religious families, where their service is seen as a sacred duty, inseparably intertwined with their faith and the teachings of the Torah. This connection instills in them a strong sense of responsibility, moral clarity, and a profound bond with the Land of Israel.
Raised in tight-knit communities with role models that emphasize ethics, resilience, and teamwork, these soldiers are highly motivated, adaptable, and capable of enduring hardship. While many secular soldiers serve with honor, religious soldiers are often willing to make deeper personal sacrifices, driven by Torah's ethical framework, which guides their decision-making and provides clarity in complex situations. Rooted in Torah study and prayer, their foundation fosters an unwavering motivation to uphold high standards of conduct and leadership.
These soldiers are the Lions of Judah—brave, idealistic, and unwavering in their commitment to the sacred duty of defending the Jewish homeland, with an inner strength that enables them to endure and rise to the challenges they face. Their service is a Maccabean rededication, echoing the heroic moments throughout the history of the Jewish people.
What else can offer us a life of freedom through restraint, infusing holiness into the sensual, and providing a means to transcend our earthly existence while still on this planet? Yahadus, the essence of Jewish identity and communal responsibility, calls us to live as a Torah nation, to love one another, and to honor our G-d-given land. As the Torah Nation, we demonstrate to the world our reverence and appreciation for our divine obligation to protect one another and the Holy Land, offering a model for all humanity.
Through the observance of Yahadut, we bring fulfillment and harmony to the world, teaching that true happiness comes not from temporary gains, but from aligning with a higher purpose that transcends the material world and connects us to the eternal. Reverence for G-d attracts fulfillment, and by integrating the spiritual and physical, we gain peace, compassion, and interconnectedness.
Yahadut: The Essence of Jewish Identity
In Yahadut, the obligation to the people, land, and Torah is not just a duty—it is the essence of Jewish identity. Bound by a mutual responsibility to care for each other, we recognize the Land of Israel as our sacred home, where our spiritual and national destiny unfolds. The Torah is our guiding light, shaping our actions and beliefs. These three elements—people, land, and Torah—form an inseparable bond, calling us to live with purpose, uphold our heritage, and fulfill the divine mission entrusted to us. This is the heart of who we are and the path to our collective redemption.
The Land of Israel
"I am in the West, but my heart is in the East." – Yehudah Halevi, The Kuzari
Even when Jews are physically in exile in the West, their hearts remain bound to the East, to Jerusalem, the spiritual and physical heart of their identity.
Historically, the Jewish people have been like an impoverished child in an orphanage, yearning for the warmth and safety of his father’s house. Our compass has always pointed eastward to Jerusalem—through our liturgy, poetry, songs, and prayers, an inner, divine force compels us to turn towards Jerusalem.
This East Wind
This east wind presses forward, blessing all that is in my domain, as all hopes, wishes, and prayers gathered here are collected on their journey home. These winds circulate progressively forward, crossing oceans and continents, raising a multitude of ardent, heartfelt entreaties eastward until they enter the Holy Land. They are escorted into Jerusalem, where they will enter the Temple courtyard, penetrating the innermost holy chamber, lifting our spirits of hope from the physical plane to the spiritual realm as our petitions stand before the Throne of Glory. (Settenbrino)
The Jewish people have been driven by an unbreakable bond to our homeland, our fortress and sanctuary, where we can finally experience the physical and spiritual alignment that brings us true acceptance, peace, and comfort.
As the Talmud (Berakhot 12b) teaches: "There is no other nation that has been exiled and returned to its land, except for the Jewish people." This is not simply the return of a people to their homeland; it is a miraculous reclamation of identity, faith, and purpose. Who else can speak of a second commonwealth, let alone a third?
The Jewish people's return to the Land is not only a fulfilled empirical claim; it is part of a miraculous mission unfolding through a natural course of events triggered by miraculous moments in history.
A Divine Promise Fulfilled
Isaiah 51:3: "For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden."
A land once barren and desolate has been transformed into a thriving, vibrant nation. This is not just an agricultural or political achievement; it is a profound spiritual rebirth, where a decimated people and a desolate wilderness, bound by Torah, transform into Eden—the foundation for the renewal of the Jewish spirit.
The return of the Jewish people to the Holy Land is no mere coincidence. This final return promises an eternal unification, where the Jewish people will serve as the catalyst for world redemption. As all nations come to the House of the Lord, it fulfills God’s promise to His chosen people and to the world—a promise that His House will be a sanctuary for all.
Isaiah 56:7: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
This universal message reflects the pressing need for us, as a people, to unite and fulfill our divine purpose so that the world may be transformed for the better. It is through our collective strength and spiritual renewal that we can bring about this vision of universal peace.
The Land of Israel is not merely a geographic location—it is the very heart of Jewish identity, where God’s covenant with His people was made and will ultimately be fulfilled. Every wave of Jewish return, from the early pioneers to survivors of the Holocaust, Soviet Jews, and those fleeing oppression in the Middle East, North Africa, Ethiopia, and beyond, is part of this divine plan. With each migration, we are drawn closer to our roots, and nearer to our ultimate mission: to be a light unto the nations, fulfilling our role as a beacon of hope, unity, and spiritual purpose in the world.
The Power of Art: Creating a Unifying Cultural Renaissance
The power of art lies in its ability to transcend borders, touch hearts, and shift perceptions.
Art, once a peripheral part of Jewish life, is now poised to become a central force in our cultural and spiritual revival. In the wake of recent events, the arts offer us a means of healing, expression, and connection, allowing us to transform collective pain into unity, hope, and pride.
When Torah is expressed through the arts, it will motivate people to aspire to unity. The arts provide a unique platform for embodying the core values of Yahadus, allowing us to communicate our sacred mission and heritage in a way that resonates deeply and inspires. When the essence of the Torah is reflected in art, it becomes a powerful tool to draw people closer to their spiritual roots, fostering a shared sense of purpose and unity.
Arts that revere and reflect Torah will fuse the physical, sensual, and spiritual realms. By integrating the profound wisdom of Torah into creative expression, the arts become a vehicle through which the Jewish soul can connect with the divine. This fusion enhances our ability to transcend the material world, while simultaneously celebrating and elevating the beauty of our physical existence. Through this powerful union of spirit and matter, the arts serve not just as a means of expression, but as a transformative force that inspires us to transcend divisions and unite around our shared heritage.
While intellectual achievements have long defined our identity, we must now also embrace the power of creativity and artistic expression as tools for healing and empowerment. Art can bridge divides, not only within our community but also with the broader world, helping to reclaim and reshape our narrative, assert our resilience, and inspire admiration
What if our spiritual revival is harnessed through the sacred trinity of Torah, Land, and People—uniting us to heal, ignite, and inspire creativity through the arts, creating a bond that resonates across generations?
Together, we will show the world that we are not just survivors, but creators of beauty, resilience, and hope.
Randy/Yisroel Settenbrino - is the artist behind the Historic Blue Moon Hotel, Sweet Dreams Café, and Last Jewish Tenement Tours—recognized by National Geographic as one of the top 150 projects in the Western Hemisphere. He writes on art, psychology, theology, and Jewish identity. He and his wife are proud parents of two IDF soldiers.