It seems, on the surface, as such a strange concept, almost an act of desperation. The idea to divide, to split our already limited people, whose watchword of late is "unity," seems quite patently crazy. Most would argue that it is the exact opposite of what we should be doing to help bring the redemption to further fruition.

     Yet, sometimes in order to move forward, one needs to take a few steps back. Turn it and turn it again, for all the answers are found within.

     Buried within our beloved Torah is a strange and special mitswah, the mitswah of marrying one's divorced wife. One might argue that the mitswah is simply there for technical reasons, to teach us that even if one has divorced his wife, he is permitted to remarry her as long as she hasn't married anyone in the mean time. Yet, it seems to me that there might be a profound message hidden deep within this law.

     Sometimes reconciliation, based on renewed appreciation, can only come from a perspective of distance. Sometimes, unity can only be forged after a separation. This, in fact, might also be the message of Adam HaRishon (the first man), whom our tradition teaches contained, in fact, both male and female aspects until HaShem "split them" and then reunited them in marriage.

     At the beginning of this marriage between modern Zionism and Judaism, the secular Zionists saw their religious counterparts as a nostalgic reminiscent of ancient days. Their positions, ideas, and contribution weren't only taken with a bit of condescendence, it was assumed that by the second or at the very latest third generation, most of these "religious ones" would be a passing memory. When this didn't happen, newfound respect for them did not replace the condescendence, but instead, a certain anger at their apparent intransigence. To this anger was soon added a bit of hatred mixed with fear that maybe the non-religious path had been "misguided."

     The religious Zionists however continued steadfastly to contribute to all aspects of Israeli society, assured in the righteousness in their path, and that eventually their "partner" would appreciate all that they've done. Yet, in the last two years, the religious Zionists have seen their most prized contributions and achievements systematically threatened with destruction: the settlement enterprise, the Hesder army-yeshiva program and their professional and academic colleges.

     Some of those in the religious Zionist camp have responded like the classic battered wife, convinced that the blame for the abuse is hers, and have resolved to double their effort, to bend all the more.

     Others have begun to recognize the abuse for what it is and have angrily begun divorce proceedings, turning away from participation in the national life of the Jewish nation.

     Neither, it would seem to me, seems to be the correct response. Yet, it is also clear that the situation cannot continue unchanged.

     The religious Zionists vision for a fully Jewish state will never be given true voice in the modern state of Israel, as more and more, it's leaders try an mold it into an "enlightened" state for all of its citizens. In fact, the idea of a modern state grounded in Torah principles and law is an anathema of to such a state.

     On a personal level, when a non-religious person sees the religious family at a Shabbat meal, he can become open to the idea of living one's life Jewishly because he sees it work. All the scientific, statistical data in the world will not convince the "enlightened" modern Jew that the Torah "could work" on a national level. In truth, it's a theory that hasn't been tested for thousands of years. In order for us to show the Jewish nation and the world (as per our mission as a Light unto the Nations) that the Torah not only can "work" on a national level but it is infinitely superior, then we need to build a "Jewish Home." Once we do so, the rest of the nation, and the world, will see how enlightened the Torah really is, and we can then work on a reconciliation based on respect.

     Not out of anger or acquiescence, but out of a desire to change the paradigm, it's time to petition for a separation. Let those with a Torah vision come and build a Jewish Nation in the heartland of the Land of Yisrael. If the State of Israel is looking for a partner in which to surrender territory, let him find it in the "other residents" of Yehuda and Shomron, partners who won't threaten the physical existence of Israel's citizenry. In that way, the State of Israel can rid of itself of the two self-perceived threats to its existence, the Arabs and the Jews.