When I was in yeshiva, before I had any real accomplishments in learning of my own, I was taught that as Jews, we don't fix the world by going out and literally improving it with our hands and labour. The "Jewish way" to improve the world is through learning Torah and doing mitzvot, which creates spiritual improvements that bring shefa to the world and that's how the world gets properly fixed.
I would like to know what are the sources of this idea? They seem to be Kabbalistic, but they could also be tied to the "who are the builders" sugya etc (Shabbat 114a) or other sources. Has anyone studied this point inside and knows the sources it is based on?
Let's try not to make any political statements please. I am not advocating nor criticising this approach, just seeking to learn more about its origins.
