In the public debate that has been taking place among us since the Six-Day War, the claim is often heard that this is not a debate between those who love the country and those who do not feel love for it.
According to this argument, everyone loves the country, everyone is loyal to it, and there are only differences of opinion on strategic and security questions and the like.
But when we examine what is happening in reality, we discover that in all areas where ideological control exists by the circles that support retreats and concessions, the concept of love of country has almost disappeared.
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You won't find it in literature, poetry, music, or other areas of 'culture.' On the contrary, if there is any concern about the country, it is usually critical, to the point of slandering it.
The ulterior motive
And you ask yourself, why is this so?
It is understandable that there will be differences in approach and outlook between those who are observant and those who do not define themselves as such. The former will speak of love of the land in terms of faith, will point out its holiness, and will quote verses and sayings of the sages in praise of it; while the latter will speak and sing of simple love of homeland, and will use the terms accepted by every people towards their country.
This was truly the case in the first generations of the return to the Land. We see the many songs written about the Land of Israel, songs full of love and longing, praise and adoration. But many of those texts would be defined today as 'nationalist' and 'fascist'.
Look at what happened to the statement of Trumpeldor, one of the defenders of Tel Hai, before his death – "It is better to die for our country." This sentence was once considered a model slogan, expressing the value of dedication and sacrifice for the country. The years did not pass before it began to be hurled at it with mockery and contempt. Certain leaders of "culture" even turned it into dubious satire. They, the enlightened, discovered that life is precious in every corner of the earth, and that there is nothing worth dying for.
It turns out that behind the pragmatic arguments lies something deeper.
We see this also in the story of the spies. They too seemingly presented pragmatic arguments - the people of Canaan are heroes and strong, the cities are fortified, we cannot defeat them. But the Book of Psalms reveals the inner motive - "And they were dismayed in the pleasant land.".
Deep down, they were fed up with the Land of Israel. They didn't want to enter it. Everything else was just a collection of excuses.
With us, everything is connected.
It turns out that the Jewish people, even if they try hard, will not be able to be like all other peoples. The moment they disconnect from their spiritual roots, they also lose the simple values of patriotism and love of homeland that exist in every nation and language. Those who are threatened by Judaism also feel threatened by the mention of the soil of the Land of Israel.
In the Jewish people, everything is connected and intertwined. The land, the people, and the Torah are tied together. Our connection to Jews at the edge of the world and our love for the landscapes of the Negev and the Galilee, Judea and Samaria – go through faith in the Creator of the world and His Torah.
If you cut the tree off from its roots, it won't be long before it loses its vitality. The story of the spies demonstrates the deep connection between all of these elements.
