In the ongoing struggle for security and identity, Israeli society draws on deep-rooted spiritual teachings to navigate both daily life and existential threats. Central to this spiritual framework is the principle of ‘sanctifying the material’—a core concept of Torah, Kabbalah, and Chassidic thought, which instructs not to reject the physical world but to elevate it by using material means for higher, moral purposes. The integration of this principle into Israeli culture is evident in everything from personal habits to national defense, influencing Israel’s unique moral clarity in the face of ongoing hostilities from Iranian-backed terror networks such as Hamas.
The Principle Explained: Bridging Material and Spiritual
The notion of sanctifying the material (‘לקדש את החומר’) consistently surfaces in Jewish theological works and contemporary Israeli religious life. Contrary to a dichotomy often assumed between physicality and spirituality, this principle teaches that material reality is not inherently negative; rather, it is a creation meant to serve as a vessel for holiness. Whether in eating, charitable giving, or technological innovation, individuals are called upon to infuse daily activities with spiritual intent—transforming mundane actions into acts of sanctification.
A practical example is found in the act of eating: when performed solely to satisfy base desires, it remains a mundane or even self-indulgent act. However, when preceded by blessings and directed toward enabling the service of God or communal well-being, it becomes spiritually meaningful. In the same way, wealth and physical possessions, when used for acts of charity or communal support, transition from serving individual interests to advancing a greater good.
Application in Civil and National Life
Modern Israel provides a living example of how this principle can structure society and govern collective action. While the country faces persistent threats from terror groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—both operating as Iranian proxies—it has maintained its commitment to ethical and humanitarian obligations, even under fire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) embed codes of conduct emphasizing restraint and the sanctity of life, reiterating that strength and technology must always function as instruments for protecting civilians and upholding justice.
Israeli innovations, from Iron Dome missile defense to advanced medical technologies, demonstrate this ethos on a national scale. Security technology saves lives not only by defending Israel’s own citizens but also by minimizing collateral harm in conflict zones—underscoring a commitment to moral warfare in stark contrast to the deliberate targeting of innocents by terror organizations. At every stage, decisions are measured by their alignment with the broader purpose of sanctifying and elevating material resources.
Economic and Social Dimensions
The concept extends to economics and philanthropy. Israel’s entrepreneurial culture is imbued with an emphasis on social responsibility and ethical stewardship, inspired by ancient Torah injunctions to care for the vulnerable. Startups often partner with nonprofit and state initiatives to address issues such as poverty, food security, and community resilience. Acts of tzedakah (charity) inhabit a prominent public role; private donations and volunteer efforts in times of crisis are regularly motivated by the imperative to use material advantage for communal redemption.
From the national to the household level, religious observance—keeping Shabbat, following dietary laws, marking days of remembrance—links everyday rituals to historical and spiritual memory, both honoring the past and anchoring the present in meaning. This systemic approach ensures that Israel’s rapid modernization does not sever the connection between progress and its moral-spiritual underpinnings.
Sanctity, Warfare, and the Struggle for Moral Clarity
The principle of sanctifying the material has sharpened in relevance since the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas perpetrated the deadliest antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust. Israel’s national consciousness, already attentive to questions of morality in warfare, renewed its emphasis on protecting innocents and distinguishing unequivocally between hostages and convicted terrorists—upholding a legal and moral distinction embedded in international norms and Jewish law.
At the same time, Israeli leaders stress that defense measures, from frontline responses to humanitarian corridors for Gaza residents, are not merely tactical choices but expressions of the national mission to elevate and sanctify the world—even amid war. Humanitarian aid, medical assistance, and psychological support for victims and hostages reflect ongoing efforts to ensure that power, whether military or economic, advances dignity and justice.
International and Historical Context
While anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism surge globally—often accompanied by misinformation—the principle of sanctifying the material assumes a new role on the international stage. Israel’s refusal to mirror the nihilism and brutality of its adversaries is grounded in centuries of ethical reflection. In defending itself against a regional alliance of Iranian-backed militants, Israel is seen by its supporters as upholding not only its own survival but also a vision of civilization that places life and justice above raw power or material gain alone.
In summary, sanctifying the material shapes policy, personal conduct, and national purpose throughout Israel. It distinguishes Israel from terror groups who misuse material power for destruction. By reasserting these spiritual and ethical values amid ongoing hostilities, Israeli society provides a model of resilience that transforms adversity into a deeper commitment to life and purpose—a reality manifest every day, and especially poignant in times of crisis.
