Is Unity Possible Without Agreement on Zionism or Army Service?
The Charedi View on Achdus Despite Deep Disagreements
The answer is an emphatic yes. Real unity is not uniformity. Klal Yisrael has always been a diverse nation—with twelve shevatim, each with their own path in avodas Hashem. The Charedi worldview believes deeply in the possibility—and necessity—of unity among Jews, even when we strongly disagree about ideological issues like Zionism or army service. But that unity must be rooted in truth and Torah values, not in superficial slogans or forced conformity.
1. Ahavas Yisrael Is Not Conditional on Agreement
The Torah commands us: "וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ" “Love your fellow as yourself.” (Vayikra 19:18)
This mitzvah applies to every Jew, regardless of hashkafah. Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l taught that true ahavas Yisrael is not based on political or religious agreement, but on the shared essence of every Jew—a chelek Elokah mi’maal, a spark of Divinity. Even if someone holds views that are dangerous or incorrect, we are still commanded to love them as part of Klal Yisrael. As the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum zt”l, would say: “I am against Zionism, not against Jews.”
2. Disagreement Doesn’t Mean Disrespect
One of the tragedies of recent decades is that ideological disagreements—especially around the State of Israel—have been turned into reasons for sinah. This is not the Torah way. The Chazon Ish zt”l famously wrote in a letter:
"חובה על כל אדם לכבד את האדם באשר הוא אדם, גם אם הוא רחוק מהתורה." “Every person is obligated to honor another person simply because he is a human being, even if he is far from Torah.” — Igros Chazon Ish, vol. 1, letter 3
3. Unity Through Shared Values, Not Political Ideologies
We do not need to agree on Zionism or whether yeshiva bochurim should go to the army in order to build bridges of understanding, work together for common goals, and protect each other from spiritual and physical danger. As Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l once said:
“We can disagree about hashkafos, but never about our responsibility for one another.”
The Charedi world seeks achdus based on Torah, emes, and mutual respect—not on erasing differences or compromising Torah principles.
4. Gedolim Who Modeled Respect Without Compromise
There are countless examples of Charedi Gedolim who maintained relationships and dialogue with secular or Dati Leumi figures—even while disagreeing deeply:
- Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l was known to show great respect to secular doctors, professors, and soldiers, without ever endorsing their ideologies.
- Chacham Ovadia Yosef zt”l worked with a broad range of Jews while clearly upholding halacha and Torah hashkafah.
- Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l publicly decried the lack of kavod toward any Jew—even those who harmed Torah causes.
Their message was: Stand for Torah. Don’t bend. But never forget the humanity and holiness in every Jew.
5. Why Unity Without Agreement Is So Critical Today
The Gemara says:
“דור שכולו חייב — משיח בא.” “In a generation that is completely guilty—Moshiach comes.” (Sanhedrin 98a)
Rav Yitzchak Hutner zt”l explained this to mean that when we hit rock bottom, when all the masks fall away, when we realize we only have Hashem and each other—that is when geulah comes. If unity required full agreement, Moshiach would never come. But if we can unite despite disagreement, that is the greatest merit for geulah.
Conclusion: Unity Through Torah Values
Yes—Charedim believe that unity is possible without agreement on Zionism or the army. But that unity must be honest. We cannot pretend the differences don’t matter—but we can and must rise above them to protect and love every Jew, to daven for each other, to help each other in times of danger, and to work together where possible without compromising Torah.
As Chazal say:
"כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה." “All of Israel are responsible for one another.” (Shavuos 39a)
Not “all religious Zionists.” Not “all secular Jews.” Not “only Charedim.” All of Israel.
That’s the kind of unity the Torah demands.
Sources:
- Vayikra 19:18
- Igros Chazon Ish, vol. 1, letter 3
- Sanhedrin 98a
- Shavuos 39a
- Pe’er HaDor, vol. 1, testimony of Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz
- Teshuvos Yechaveh Daas, vol. 6, Chacham Ovadia Yosef
- Sefer Pachad Yitzchak, Maamar Geulah, Rav Yitzchak Hutner