Hebron, may it be rebuilt, 27 Nissan 5660/1900
To the publishers of the book “Ohr Layesharim” in Kovno,
I was honored to receive your book and your letter, in which you ask me to express my opinion about the book and your activism.
Although I don’t have free time, since I am busy writing my sefer Sdei Chaim, with Hashem’s help, still, I took the time to look at your book and I saw the light, that it is good, and all that is written in it is true and correct. However, as for myself, it’s not my practice to get involved in public controversies and I do not wish to slight the honor of men whom I do not know. Therefore, I will refrain from speaking about those who founded the Zionist philosophy and its supporters.
But regarding the essence of this philosophy, I am completely opposed to it, for this false philosophy has brought physical and spiritual harm to the Jewish people. Physically, because it has caused the Jews to lose their rights to immigrate to the Holy Land. And spiritually – woe! This philosophy negates in all its followers all the hopes and promises made to the Jewish people, who wait for the coming of the true redeemer, the righteous redeemer, a spiritual redeemer, far from earthliness, who will bring us a miraculous, not natural, redemption.
And as such, I entreat all religious Jews for the sake of the holiness of Hashem’s name and for the sake of the preservation of the Jewish people, which has suffered many tragedies in different periods of history: Withdraw your hands and your hearts from this dangerous movement! And adopt for yourselves the guideline of the pure emunah which was handed down to us from our forefathers and from the prophets of Hashem: that a redeemer will come to Zion. He will come as a messenger of the Holy One, blessed is He; we will not bring him by force. No physical effort on our part is necessary for his coming, only spiritual effort, as Scripture states, “Today, if you hearken to His voice.” Our obligation is to improve our observance of the Torah and fulfillment of the mitzvos in all their details. Our obligation is to be loyal to the kings and the countries in which we live and under whose protection we take refuge, until the promised time comes for our redemption, and then all the peoples of the earth will recognize our worth. “And they will see that the name of Hashem is called upon us,” and the pride of Israel will be uplifted.
And you who cling to Hashem, go with this strength of yours and save the Jewish people. Add light through the candle of this mitzvah to illuminate the terrible darkness so that our religious brothers should guard themselves from following after vanity. And may Hashem help you.
(Igros Sdei Chemed, page 215)
I Will Await Him 
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