nWe, as imperfect beings, need each other to exist, and need the other even more, in order to develop and function adequately. We feel a sort of hunger or need to receive from the other a spiritual thing that will awaken in us a capacity designed for this. We refer to it as "spiritual food" We will refer to the hunger, described above as the "social hunger". It may be mentioned that some of us also feel a need to provide the other with this sustenance.nn Spiritual food bears many facets. In order to provide and receive one form of this food it suffices to merely be in the company of others – this food satisfies our hunger for security and shields us from feelings of loneliness. We may call it - "basic food". In order to obtain and receive food of another kind, such as love, recognition and esteem, intimate contact with the other is necessary. We will refer to this nourishment as "noble food". In the absence of basic food, it is impossible to receive and provide the noble one.
Most of us are familiar with the behavior of a socially isolated human. In this situation, he cares primarily for his physical requirements. After a time, he neglects even this. However, in the company of others, he grows more driven, more optimistic and is prepared to do more for himself - and in time, for others too. It is evident that this nearness has provided him with a positive energy, which motivated him to function naturally. It is indisputably an invaluable natural driving force.
When a human being finds his social defenses have been lifted away, his state deteriorates even more. The thought that at any moment something terrible may befall him gives rise to severe feelings of fear and insecurity. We find these feelings amongst people persecuted on account of their race or religion in the Second World War or due to political reasons in any totalitarian regime.n
Not only do disquiet and fear inhibit the improvement of mankind's functioning; they even induce a regression in his existing levels of behavior and bring man to function mostly with his primitive capacities. This condition will dramatically improve if we return his blanket of social protection and afford him the social assistance which a value based society is glad to provide.nn This need, this dependence, this hunger, has brought people to organize in groups of increasing scale. First, family units were created, following them appeared tribal organization, and later, the tribes united under a roof organization, referred to as a nation, and, in its political aspect, a state. nn Summary: It is human society that provides the individual with his basic spiritual and existential requirements, thus furnishing him with the conditions necessary to his efficient and proper development and functioning. All this goes to show that man's proper and natural place is in the company of others.nn nn It was the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who already 2300 years ago, noted that Man is a "social animal". That is to say, he feels a need to live within a social framework (a state, for example), whose leaders would provide those basic needs essential to his functioning. Therefore, the philosopher continues in his argument - social life is natural to man, because so he realizes his nature.nn This was probably the reason why God turned to a people rather than to individuals. Because only so, can man be brought to self- fulfillment or only this way, can he be brought to a level of achievements that will enable him to realize his Godly role, into which he was born.
We must be adequately spiritually developed in order to live a full social life. Most of our failures stem from the lack of such life. While the source of this may be due to our own limitations, it may also be due to society's limitations.nn Human society has a tremendous effect on the individual, be it a positive or a negative one. Human societies’ lack of morality has brought people to today's intolerable situation, yet it is society's high moral values, which will extricate them from it.
We pay a high price, indeed, all too often, an exceedingly high price, for ensuring our social life. In spite of the suffering, the disappointments and misery which society inflict on us, we return to it because of no choice. This social hunger is abused in one-way or another in almost every society, whether the abuse is conscious or not.nn One of the hardest punishments for human is the social rejection and discrimination. Whether based on his race or religion or simply taking the form of baseless hatred. The negation of the Jews' basic rights, the various humiliations and persecutions they endured, stem from such discrimination. A human being cannot function over a long period of time under such discrimination without his dignity and self-worth suffering a major blow. The lack of resistance by those who let themselves be led to death by the Nazis can be accounted for by the debilitating effects of the awful discrimination they endured.
We learn then, that the supreme task of any society or state, is to erect a proper form of governance, acting for the benefit of its people. One, which will, among other things, create a suitable infrastructure that provides for the individual's needs, bringing him to a correct spiritual evolvement, aiding his proper function and well-being.
Today, unfortunately, most societies and their respective regimes are unconscious to the need and importance for, creating such an infrastructure. There are some forms of government, which even repress social hungers, thus directly causing breakdowns in man's functioning as well as in the society they run.
Despite the presence of many distinguished advisors, guiding government activity, there is not even one that acts correctly and actively pursues mankind’s natural development and function. Therefore I draw the sad conclusion that governments knowingly and intentionally act as they do, simply because it is convenient for them to do so.nAdar Abrahamn
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