Editing The State of Israel (section)

== Religious Zionism ==
'''Extended topics - Religious Zionism, Atchalta D'Geulah'''

The Rebbe strongly opposed the Religious Zionist perspective that establishing independent rule in Eretz Yisroel is considered 'Atchalta D'Geulah' (beginning of redemption), to the extent that Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook called Herzl "Ikvesa D'Moshiach ben Yosef". In many letters, the Rebbe strongly rejected those who claimed that the redemption had already begun. Since the situation in Eretz Yisroel regarding Torah observance and mitzvos did not improve through the establishment of Medinas Yisroel, but rather the opposite, it cannot be the beginning of redemption, whose purpose is the perfection of Torah and mitzvos. In a letter to Rav Shlomo Yosef Zvin, the Rebbe writes that this causes a weakening in Torah observance and delays the redemption: "The only explanation for casualties in Eretz Yisroel is because of the declaration of Atchalta D'Geulah." Rav Shalom Dov Wolpo wrote the book "Between Light and Darkness" on this topic.