Even Jews living in Jerusalem say, “Because of our sins we were exiled from our land.” How? Because exile isn’t just geographic. It’s spiritual.

In exile, perception is inverted. G-d’s presence fills the world, yet we don’t feel it. The soul should rule the body, but usually the body rules. Furthermore, our central focus is on our physical needs and not Torah, mitzvos and serving G-d.

Exile is compared to a dream, where opposites coexist: truth is present but concealed. So even in Jerusalem, we pray for the concealment to lift and for the Jewish nation, soul, and Divine Presence to be revealed.

Once spiritual exile is fixed, the physical follows: the Jewish people will fully return to Israel and rebuild the Third Temple. Until then, we remain in exile.

(Sefer Hamaamarim balayla hahu 5744)