Do not shirk the social obligations of pulsating modern life

Do not shirk the social obligations of pulsating modern life; do not regret that today's nations, in their struggle for enlightenment, have invited also the sons of Jewish law to participate in their social aspirations and that they have opened for the sons of Israel the gates to scientific and civic endeavors and achievements. The more you will saturate yourself with the spirit and the timeless purpose of the Law of your God, the more you seek its fulfillment in your own small life and home, and the more you feel strong and of good courage in the presence of your God, then the greater will be your understanding of the nature of your mission: To wed yourself with all your energies and in selfless surrender of all your moral and spiritual being, to all the good and genuine achievements of the age in which you live; to apply your Jewish principles and perceptions to meet the challenges of your day. You must demonstrate that one need not cease to be a loyal son of the unabridged Jewish Law in order to win recognition in the arena of secular education and civic competence. You must prove to the world that this ancient, eternal Law of God is such a mighty wellspring of moral and spiritual energy that the spirit and mentality which the enlightened, upright, Torah-true Jew can draw from his loyalty to this Law are by no means the least significant contributions he could bring to the symposium of the nations when he enters in the life of the nations of the world.  (Collected Writings VIII, p. 325)

R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Collected Writings VIII, p. 325, cited in Judith Bleich Rabbi "Samson Raphel Hirsch, Ish Al Ha'edah", Jewish Action, in Dr. Levin's TIDE page

What all this means is that going to work is more than just 'parnassah,' more than just cash. It is more than a place for an occasional kiddush Hashem. We can accomplish there far more than that. It means also that we need not lament our involvement with the world, as some will have you believe. I'm sure you have heard that idea that Esav gets us in two ways, by killing us and by embracing us and that the latter is worse. I'm not denying that Esav's embrace does turn out badly for many people, but that's not because of the embrace per se but because they depart from the Law and the Jewish spirit. They don't have to. And our involvement with the world can be the platform for an engaged and inspired Divine service. You don't have to live all your days in the yeshiva building.