In modern Israeli society, a profound disconnect has emerged between the Hebrew term *dat* and the English concept of "religion," revealing a transformation that strips Judaism of its ethical foundations. While modern Hebrew officially translates "religion" as *dat*, linguistic and sociological analysis demonstrates how these terms have diverged in both meaning and cultural understanding. Contemporary Israeli usage, institutional practices, and religious discourse show *dat* becoming increasingly confined to ceremonial and ritual observance, excluding the broader ethical and social dimensions historically integral to Judaism. A *dati* (religious person) is now defined solely through Orthodox ritual adherence—dietary laws, Sabbath observance, and ceremonial requirements—rather than ethical conduct or social consciousness. This narrow definition manifests across institutional spheres, from religious political parties to the Chief Rabbinate and residential communities, where ritual violations alone determine religious status. Over nine years of analyzed religious proclamations and political positions reveal religious authorities maintaining "impenetrable silence" on social issues like poverty, discrimination, and moral conduct, while focusing intensely on ceremonial matters. Though marginal groups like Kibbutz Dati and Torat Hayyim attempt to address broader religious concerns, they remain ineffective against the dominant paradigm. This constricted conception of *dat* has created a "spiritual wilderness," fundamentally severing religious identity from comprehensive Jewish ethical principles and disrupting Judaism's traditional synthesis of ritual and moral obligations.