Living in Eretz Yisrael
When you think of a place that you would like to live in, you have to take certain things into consideration.
Ask yourself these questions:
Is this place going to be the place where I reach my highest spiritual connection with HaKadosh Baruchu?
Is my relationship with my wife going to reach its highest level of Kedusha and happiness?
Is this the place I want my kids to grow up in?
Am I going to be able to build a Bayit Shalom and a Bayit Ne’eman B’Yisrael?
If a person agrees to settle in surroundings that are less than strong in the service of Hashem, even though he does this for the best of motives, we can take it that he already agreed in his heart to lower the level of his own service and to accept for himself some of the prevailing leniency of the environment. In the eyes of Heaven he has already agreed to all the consequences, including the effects on the behavior of his children and household. In his innermost heart he is already aware of all the possible consequences.
On the other hand, if a person decides, for whatever reason, to go and live in an environment, which is strong in mitzvah observance and full of spirit of Torah, he has chosen life for himself, his children and dependents, to the end of time. All the beneficial consequences that ensue from this step will be reckoned as his own merit. “The measure of good is greater than the measure of punishment.”(Sota,11a)
-Strive for Truth, Michtav Me’Eliyahu
The answer for all Jews should be Eretz Yisrael. The question in a person’s mind should not always be money. If you pick to live in the right place, where you will be able to have the best connection with HaKadosh Baruchu, he will take care of you. If you want G-d to do for you, then do for him. Come to Israel, and help build his home.
Veyarashtem es haaretz, ve yashavtem ba, ki lachem nottati et haaretz loreshet otah.
The Ramban derives from this pasuk, that it is a Mitzvat Aseh to live in Eretz Yisrael. Many Reshonim say that any Mitzvah done in Chutz Learetz, is practice for doing it in Eretz Yisrael.
In the Gemara in Ketuvot, it says that it is better to live in a city in Eretz Yisrael full of idol worshipers, than live in Galut with Talmidai Chachamim. The Rambam actually pazkins like this.
The Gemara continues; a person who lives in Eretz Yisrael is like he has a G-d, a person outside of Eretz Yisrael, is like he has no G-d. The Gemara uses a pasuk in Vayikrah that says that G-d gave us Eretz Kenaan to have for us as a G-d. The Gemara says that anyone who lives outside of Eretz Yisrael, it is like he is worshiping idols. This is brought down from a story of Shaul and David; David was told to leave Eretz Yisrael, so he asked why they are making him go worship idols.
The Gemara in Baba Kamma says: When one purchases a house in Eretz Yisrael, we may write a deed of purchase, even on Shabat. May we actually write it on Shabat? Rather…one may tell a non-Jew to write it, and even though telling a non-Jew is forbidden on Shabat it is itself Rabbinically forbidden. The Rabbis did not apply decrees when the settling of Eretz Yisrael was at stake.
For the world to reach perfection, G-d decreed that the Jewish people must live a life of Torah in Israel. G-d’s first commandment to Abraham is to go to the land of Israel in order to serve G-d in the most complete way. Afterwards G-d commands Moshe to bring the Jews out of Egypt to Eretz Yisrael. Over and over, the Torah repeats that the Jewish people are to live their unique Torah life in Israel. When the holy Jewish nation lives a holy life of Torah in the holy land, the vessel is formed to bring the light of G-d to the world. The nation of Israel becomes an international beacon, an example and light to all the nations of the world.
The Rambam emphasizes the centrality of Eretz Yisrael to Torah in Sefer HaMitzvot, concerning the positive precept of the sanctification of the New Month. In a lengthy discussion, he makes it clear that it is the Jew of the land of Israel who constitutes the Jewish nation. Even if the majority of Jews are exiled from the land, it is not the Torah Centers outside of the land, which make up the heart of the nation, but the Jewish peasants who live in Eretz Yisrael. This is illustrated by the calculation of the Jewish calendar, which can only be established by the Jews in Israel irrelevant of their status in Torah. *Not only did the Rambam think that living in Israel was a mitzvah; he felt it was a mitzvah on which the whole Torah was based.
Raishit Chachma: He who is proper and fears sin should involve himself in the needs of Israel…He should share their burden and suffer with them in times of trouble. He who acts in this manner sustains the world, as it is written: Through justice the king establishes the land (mishlei 29:4) on the other hand, he who refrains from sharing their burden and repairing their breaches, acting as if he was Trumah separated from the dough, destroys the world, as it is written: But a man set aside (Ish Trumah) destroys it.
The Chasam Sofer (in his commentary on Sukkah 3a) explains that any occupation, undertaken in Eretz Yisrael, is included in the mitzvah of “Yishuv Eretz Yisrael,” and it is in Eretz Yisrael that Rebbe Yishmael’s ruling (that one should take a worldly occupation) applies! Agriculture or commerce, industry or social work, medicine or engineering; Whatever helps settle the people in the land, as worldly as it may seem, is, by definition, a mitzvah in Eretz Yisrael. Consequently, the physical and material aspects of the land are also objects of holiness, vehicles of service to Hashem.
The Jewish people possess true national vitality only in the Land of Israel (Isaiah 42:5). Outside of the Land, Jews can excel as individuals in all fields of endeavor; there can be great Torah scholars, but the light of the G-d cannot appear in a national format. Only in the Land of Israel can the Jews be a KINGDOM priests and a holy NATION (Exodus, 19:6). The Zohar emphasizes that the Jews can be a nation only in Israel, and not outside of it (Zohar, Vayikra 93b). Prophecies of redemption all involve the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and the restoration of Jewish sovereignty over the Land (Ezekiel, 37:21-22). The Jewish people’s unique prophetic talent is dependent on being in the Land of Israel (Moed Katan 25a, Kuzari 1:95 2:8-24). The Temple can only be rebuilt on Har HaBayit, and the full revelation of G-d’s Presence is exclusive to Eretz Yisrael, as the prophet teaches, For Torah will go forth from Zion, and the word of the L-rd from Jerusalem(Isaiah, 2:3)
While Rabbi Kook Z”TL emphasizes that the t’shuva of the Jewish people and a return to the Torah go hand-in-hand, he indicates that a preliminary stage of national revival will bring this spiritual awakening to pass. First, the Jewish people must return to Zion to rebuild their homeland. Once the physical body that houses the nation is built, then the revitalized Jewish soul will yearn for the spiritual completion as well, and our people will flock back to Torah.
- Orot HaT’shuva, Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook Z”TL
Living in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah Deoreita, a mitzvah commanded by the Torah itself. Not only that, but it carries equal weight to all the other mitzvoth combined. In fact, it supersedes them in importance; because all of them are dependant upon it, and it is there that we are commanded to perform them all. The Torah says: “When the L-rd your G-d cuts off the nations whom you are approaching, to inherit you should expel them and live in their land (Deut, 12:29).” This verse explicitly states the two mitzvoth tied to Eretz Yisrael. The first is expelling the non-Jews. The Hebrew corresponding to, “Whom you are approaching to inherit” is rendered by Onkelos as “Whom you are approaching to banish.” The second is “You should live in their land.” It is a mitzvah to live in their land in Eretz Yisrael.
-Jewish idea vol II, Rav Meir Kahane Z”TL
Since all Jews are commanded to perform this mitzvah, to ascend to Eretz Yisrael, and rebuild our Holy Land, everyone must say to himself, “I will do as I am commanded, and Hashem will do as he sees fit.” Also, just as Chizkiyah was not exempt from the positive commandment of procreation because he foresaw that he would have unrighteous sons, so too, no Jew can exempt himself from the positive commandment of building the Land based on the claim that he is afraid of “unrighteous sons” (G-d forbid)…Indeed, “One mitzvah leads to another.”(Avot 4:2) and the merit of settling the Land, which is greater than all mitzvoth of the Torah, will stand by him and help him have righteous sons. That is Hashem will incline the hearts of the Jewish brethren [to repent] –Eim HaBanim Semechah-Harav Yisachar Shlomo Teichtal
It is impossible for a Jew to be devoted and faithful to his contemplations, logical reasonings, conceptualizations, and imaginations, when he is outside the Land of Israel, compared to the quality of their faithfulness in Eretz Yisrael.
Revelations of holiness, on whatever level, are clean in Eretz Yisrael, according to their value; while outside the Land of Israel, they are mixed with abundant dross and Klipot. However, according to the magnitude of an individual’s yearning for and connection to Eretz Yisrael, his contemplations become clear, due to the foundation of “the air of Eretz Yisrael” which hovers over everyone who desires to her. (Ketubot 75a) “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all who love her.” (Isaiah, 66:10, Taanit 30a) - Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook-Orot
A lack of knowledge and misinformation had led some people to believe that the Gedolim oppose the settlement of Eretz Yisrael. This is not true. While some Torah giants were antagonists to the Zionist cause, many of equally great stature supported Zionism. The majority remained either undecided or unwilling to disclose their opinion.
A Jew is more than just an individual. He is attached with a living link to the Jewish nation as a whole. Beyond his own private existence, he is bound up with the life of the nation or the Klal. Thus the primary T’shuva for a Jew is to bind himself to the soul of the people, which means putting his own personal life in line with the high moral strivings of the nation.
How often have we tried to assimilate!!!!!!!!!!!!? Yet we, like the oil that can never mix with other liquids, are doomed to remain separate. Rav Chaim Volozhiner put it succinctly “If the Jew does not make Kiddush, the goy will make Havdallah. Either we separate and sanctify ourselves, or the matter will be taken care of for us in more painful ways.
Hopefully throughout all of this you have realized as Jews we have to do whatever we can to help Eretz Yisrael. One thing that we can do is go settle in the Land of Israel. The more people that settle the better the economy will get. How can we sit back, while our brethren in Israel are suffering?
*Put all Halachick, moral, and national matters aside, how can you say no to: Davening at the Kotel, shopping in Machne Yehuda, spending Shabat in Chevron, Tzefat, Ir Hatikah, etc. How can you say no to living with G-D?????
RAV KOOK’S SUMMARY
1. Eretz Yisrael is not merely an external means toward the physical or spiritual strengthening of the nation.
2. Eretz Yisrael is inseparably connected to Am Yisrael by a Divine Segula.
3. This inner Segula cannot be expressed in rational formulas, but only through the Divine Spirit, which resides in our national soul.
4. The understanding of the inner connection between Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish people comes to us through the Rabbis who delve into the deepest realms of Torah.
5. Any superficial orientation to the Land of Israel, even when it is used in a positive fashion to strengthen Judaism in Galut, has a faulty foundation in light of the true exalted value of Eretz Yisrael.
6. The strengthening of Diaspora Jewry will not come through strengthening Jewish life in the Galut, but through strengthening its connection to Eretz Yisrael.
7. The stamina and cohesive force of Diaspora Judaism is the yearning for Salvation.
8. The Judaism of Eretz Yisrael is the Salvation itself.
9. A proper understanding of the connection between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael comes through a knowledge of the deeper, inner dimensions of Torah.
10. A person who is alienated from the secrets of Torah will be estranged from the highest levels of Divine revelation.
11. A person who understands only the superficial level of Torah will not miss the lack of a Jewish national homeland, a Jewish Kingdom, and all of the other facets of the upbuilt nation.
12. As a result, the yearning for Salvation becomes a side branch in his life, and he is happy with the Galut.
13. A perspective, which negates the secrets of Torah and their influence on the nation, is a distortion of Judiasm, and a tragedy to the nation which must be fought against with holy wisdom and valor.
14. Only by learning Torah in all of its encompassing depth can a Jew discover his true essence, his connection to Israel and to the exalted life of the Clal.
15. The nation of Israel’s unique creativity, in thought and in deed, is only possible in the Land of Israel. Only in Eretz Yisrael can the Jewish people infuse Kedusha into all aspects of both spiritual and material existence.
16. The sins, which cause exile, pollute our unique inner spring, and our essential Israeli inspiration is shattered.
17. In Galut, the Jewish people share in the general inspiration, which flows to the world. We gather the best of this inspiration until our own spring has purified, and the exile has no further value.
18. Throughout the Galut, the land lays desolate, and its destruction atones for it.
19. When the atonement is completed, and the land returns to life of the exile has come.
20. With the ingathering of the exiles to Israel, the light of Mashiach shines. The process of Redemption slowly unfolds with the gradual rebuilding of the nation.
21. We return to Eretz Yisrael more international in nature, more equipped to sanctify all of existence, to unite the spiritual and the material worlds, and elevate them both to the service of G-d. This is the blessing of Avraham which flows to the world when the Jewish people return to their source.
22. Exile is not meant to be an end in itself, but rather a long corrective process to facilitate the inner rebuilding of the nation, whose light to the world shines forth, not in Galut, but in our return to the land of our forefathers.
23.Only in Eretz Yisrael can a Jew be faithful to his true creative and intellectual faculties.
24. In the Diaspora, Jewish thought and creativity are mixed up with the polluted influence of gentile values, cultures, and spiritual ideas.
25. Outstanding creativity in literature, art, science, or any other discipline, is not to be confused with the unique Israeli creativity of Emunah and prophecy – the ability to unite the physical world with the Divine.
26. The air of Eretz Yisrael causes wisdom.
27. Life in Chutz L’Aretz is focused on the individual Jew. Life in Eretz Yisrael is focused on the life of the nation.
28. A Jew who truly yearns for Eretz Yisrael shares in the land’s special blessings and attaches himself to the higher life of the Clal.
29. Everyone who mourns over the destruction of Jerusalem will merit to share in her joy.
30. The imagination in Eretz Yisrael is clean and pure, capable of receiving prophecy and Divine illumination.
31. The imagination outside the Land of Israel is polluted. It cannot form a base of prophecy, nor for Divine revelation.
32. Because the intellectual and the imaginative faculties in man are interrelated, if the imagination is polluted, the intellect will be polluted too. Thus, because the imagination outside of the Land of Israel is unhealthy, the intellect outside of the land of Israel cannot be illuminated with the great light that exists in Eretz Yisrael.
33. Eretz Yisrael is the land of prophecy. Prophecy occurs either in Israel, or on her behalf, as in prophecies calling for Aliyah.
34. A Jew is forbidden to leave the Land of Israel, except in certain instances, which Halacha allows. But in all cases, he must return to Israel, and not dwell in Chutz L’Aretz.
35. When the meeting of the Jewish soul with the Divine commandment takes place in Eretz Yisrael, which is land of GIANT LETTERS AND GIANT MITZVOT, a cosmic fusion occurs, infusing all of the worlds with exalted, Kedusha and life.
36. THE GIANTS LETTERS OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL ARE THE LETTERS OF CLAL YISRAEL. When a Jew makes ALIYAH TO ISRAEL, his small, individual letters EXPAND TO BECOME THE COLOSSAL LETTERS OF THE CLAL.
37. Because living in Israel is a mitzvah in itself, eve the basic everyday necessities of living take on an uplifted, holy status.
38. The special high-powered fusion between the mitzvah and the soul occurs not only in Israel, but also in the soul of every Jew who sincerely yearns to be a part of the land. His longing MAGNIFIES THE LETTERS OF HIS SOUL TO THE GIANT-SIZE LETTER OF A JEW WHO WAS BORN IN THE LAND.
39. The mission of Israel is to bring the laws and judgment of G-d to the world. This great undertaking can only be achieved when the nation of Israel lives in its land.
40. The desire for G-d’s justice is the spirit of Mashiach, the spirit of our national souls. He will reveal the righteousness of Israel and establish the judgment of G-d in the land.
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE HOLY LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Daniel Hadar