Do Charedim Reject Zionism Because They See Jewish Sovereignty as Legitimate Only When Given by Hashem Through Moshiach?

Yes—at its root, this is the heart of the Charedi objection to Zionism. While there are many reasons that Charedim oppose secular Zionism—its values, its culture, its treatment of Torah, its historical approach to religion—the fundamental theological objection is that true Jewish sovereignty can only come from Hashem, through His appointed redeemer, Moshiach ben Dovid.

This is not a political opinion. It is a foundational Torah truth passed down through the generations. It comes from emunah, from our mesorah, and from the words of Chazal.

The 3 Oaths and Waiting for Moshiach

The Gemara in Kesubos 111a teaches about the Three Oaths that Hashem imposed on Am Yisrael during galus:

שְׁלֹשָׁה שְׁבוּעוֹת הִשְׁבִּיעַ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל
"Three oaths did Hashem swear upon the Jewish People…"That they should not ascend as a wall to Eretz Yisrael (i.e., by force)That they should not rebel against the nationsThat the nations should not oppress Yisrael excessively.

This Gemara is not aggadah in the dismissive sense—it is quoted by Rashi, by the Ran, and most famously by the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l, in his sefer Vayoel Moshe, as a halachic basis for opposing the Zionist enterprise.

Rav Yoel zt”l explains that any effort to establish sovereignty over Eretz Yisrael before the arrival of Moshiach—and especially by secular Jews who publicly cast off the yoke of Torah—is not only forbidden, it endangers Klal Yisrael, spiritually and physically.

This is echoed by many other gedolim of the previous century:

Gedolim Who Warned Against Zionist Sovereignty

• Rav Elchonon Wasserman zt”l, a close talmid of the Chofetz Chaim, wrote that the Zionists were establishing “a counterfeit redemption,” and that this was one of the great tests before the coming of Moshiach.
• The Chazon Ish distanced himself from the Zionist enterprise and refused to attend state functions or give recognition to its authority.
• Rav Shach zt”l publicly rejected religious Zionism and emphasized that the essence of Jewish life is Torah, not nationality or land ownership without Torah.

Charedim, therefore, do not reject sovereignty because they are anti-Eretz Yisrael, chalilah. On the contrary—we daven three times a day for Hashem to return us to our land, rebuild Yerushalayim, and restore the Davidic monarchy. But we want that redemption to come through Hashem’s hand, not through human initiatives that ignore His Torah.

“וַהֲשִׁיבֵנוּ בְּשׁוּבְךָ לְצִיּוֹן בְּרַחֲמִים”
“Return us to Tzion with mercy” – (Shemoneh Esrei, 17th bracha)

So Why Do Some Charedim Participate in Elections or Accept Services?

This is a common question and misunderstanding. Many Charedi leaders permitted pragmatic participation in the State, but never saw it as legitimate Jewish sovereignty. Rav Shach, the Steipler, Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Elyashiv—all permitted entering the Knesset or accepting budgets only to protect Torah Jews and build Torah infrastructure.

That does not mean they endorsed the State’s ideology. As Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l said repeatedly, “We are not Zionists. We are Jews living in Eretz Yisrael, trying to preserve Torah.”

This is also how Chacham Ovadia Yosef zt”l explained his rulings—yes, we must protect Torah institutions and poor families, but that doesn’t mean we accept the modern State as the beginning of the geulah.

The Dangers of Premature Sovereignty

Without Hashem’s approval, national projects can become national disasters. We see in the Torah how attempting to conquer Eretz Yisrael without Hashem’s command leads to tragedy:

וַיַּעֲלוּ הַפֶּתַעַם הַהִוא וַיֹּאמְרוּ הִנְנֻו וְעָלִינוּ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם
“They went up proudly, saying: Behold! We will go up to the place…”
(Bamidbar 14:44)
But Hashem had already decreed a delay.
The result?
וַיַּכּוּם וַיַּכְּתוּם עַד הַחָרְמָה
“They struck them down until destruction.”

This teaches that even when the goal is good, if the timing or method is wrong—especially without Hashem’s approval—it leads to suffering.

The Real Sovereignty Will Come

We wait patiently and faithfully for the moment when Hashem Himself will redeem us, not through politics or force, but through the arrival of Moshiach ben Dovid, who will restore Torah to its central place and build the Beis HaMikdash.

כִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ קִוִּינוּ כָּל הַיּוֹם
“For Your salvation we wait all day” – (Shemoneh Esrei)

This is not rejection of Eretz Yisrael. It is elevation of it. We yearn for a higher Geulah, not one born of nationalism, but of kabalas ol Malchus Shamayim.

Sources & Footnotes

1. Gemara Kesubos 111a – Three oaths during galus.
2. Rashi ad loc – Explains “not to ascend as a wall” refers to conquering the land by force.
3. Vayoel Moshe, Maamar Shalosh Shevuos – The foundational halachic source against Zionist sovereignty.
4. Rav Elchonon Wasserman, Ikvisa D’Meshicha – Warns of a false redemption.
5. Chazon Ish, letters – Refused State recognition or participation.
6. Rav Shach, Michtavim u’Maamarim – Rejected Zionist ideology.
7. Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igros Moshe Y.D. 4:57 – Permits political participation for pikuach nefesh, not for idealism.
8. Chacham Ovadia Yosef, Yabia Omer and public derashos – Distinction between practical survival and religious approval.
9. Bamidbar 14:40–45 – The failure of premature conquest.
10. Daily Tefillos – Themes of waiting for Hashem’s redemption, not man’s.