SECULAR IN ISRAEL OR RELIGIOUS ABROAD? WHAT'S BETTER?

Beit Midrash

Family and Society
The Land of Israel

קטגוריה משנית

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Q. We had a debate, would it be better for all of the Jews to be religious outside of Israel, or to be non-religious in Israel? A. Firstly, the Torah is a "package deal", and just like it's irrelevant to ask: should I lay tefillin or observe Shabbat, for we are meant to do all of the mitzvot! "תורת ה' תמימה משיבת נפש", "the COMPLETE Torah satisfies the soul )Tehilim 19, 8), but if we start "cherry-picking" like the Reform Jews, than we will not have that great complete Torah! In short, why not just be "normal", and live both Torat Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael, especially with Am Yisrael. Apparently, that's why 70% of the religious Jews in the world have chosen both!
In addition, the very living in Israel itself is part of the definition of "religious", for "living in Israel is equated with the rest of the mitzvot" (Tosefta, Avoda Zara 5, 2)! Also, most of the mitzvot can only be done in Israel (Maharal, Gur Aryeh on Breishit 1, 1), so one cannot divide between Torah and Israel. Even the mitzvot that CAN be observed abroad (such as T’filin, M’zuza, Shabbat) have a qualitative difference when done in the Holy Land (Devarim 5, 28; 6, 1; Sifre Ekev 43 ,Ramban Vayikra 18, 25). The Chafetz Chaim (L’Ntivot Yisrael, p.202) says that the very same mitzva when done outside of Israel, brings only 5% of the spiritual benefit one receives for its observance in Israel, where it is meant to be done. Accordingly, there's no such thing as being really religious outside of Israel, and "whoever lives out of Israel has no G-d" (Ketuvot 110).
The question you posed once was almost a practical one, when, at the beginning of the State of Israel, it was run by the anti-religious, and to a certain extent, it used to be easier to be religious abroad. This is not only outdated, but I'm not sure it was ever correct. There is a common condescending stereotype prevalent among Jews in America (and so I admittedly thought as a child), that Israelis are less religious. This slanderous generalization (probably carried over from the days when Mapai ruled the country, or based upon negative association with yordim- Israelis who left the country, usually in pursuit of economic prosperity- who are by no means whatsoever representative of Israeli society, or perhaps simply as a result of a disappointing comparison with a wishful, utopian Holy Land) is often mentioned for those looking for an excuse not to make Aliyah. This misrepresentation is nothing short of laughably outdated (if it was ever true at all) in today’s Israel where most of the army’s front-line soldiers, 45% of the officer’s wear kipot and MOST of the GOVERNMENT IS religious. Aside from the many communities in Israel which are 100% orthodox (as compared to Monsey, Williamsburg, and Boro Park which have MANY non-religious and even many GENTILES!), America or even New York will never come close to 1/4 of the citizens, or even the Jews being observant- much less have Judaism as the official religion (ask Mamdani…)! Whichever way you look, whether comparing religious leaders, communities, or on a state or surely a national level, whether measuring quantity, quality, or percentage, it is clear to all that religious life in Israel today is on all counts stronger and growing faster than anywhere else in the world. Thank G-d we have seen that from Zion already comes Torah and the word of G-d from Jerusalem (Yeshaya 2, 3), and "אין תורה כתורת ארץ ישראל", "There is no Torah like the Torah of the Land of Israel" (Sifre, beg. of P. Ekev). BH today there's clearly no reason to choose between Torah & Israel, so the question is like whether it's better to have a mother or a father, when one can really have both!
Even if there are individual fairly orthodox communities in America, there is a significant difference if one’s Jewish environment is NATIONAL or merely communal. It is clear from the Torah that the natural status of Am Yisrael is when we all live together in a Jewish State in Israel, as it was in the past (as is clear from the Tanach, the Second Commonwealth, and the Maccabean and Bar Kochva revolts) and as we are told will be from now on and forever. Not only your neighbors, but your language (Lashon Hakodesh), army (Tziv’ot Hashem), coin (Shekel HaKodesh), and even mud and rocks (Rambam, Hil. Milachim 5, 10) should be holy, as well. Only in Israel is it illegal to sell chametz on Pesach. Only in a Jewish State will a cook be sentenced to 28 days in jail for baking pizza in an army oven which is designated for meat! Only in a Jewish State are the radio commercials based upon the upcoming holidays, and the #1 song of this year on NATIONAL RADIO was "Hashem Yitbarach always loves me, "ויהי לי עוד יותר טוב..." !
Another point to consider: Just as the entire Jewish community in America unites in action if, G-d forbid, a Jewish child is missing or orphaned, if a Hasid is stabbed, or if a fire consumes a Jewish home, in our natural status in a Jewish State, every kidnapping or stabbing, every fire, or personal tragedy one hears about, is meant to unite us all in constant, non-stop chessed. How much more on a national level as it did after Simchat Torah 2 years ago. It is a difficult challenge but that is the framework the Torah clearly has in mind!
Also, our sages teach: (Tosefta, above) "It's better to live among idolators in Eretz Yisrael, than among religious Jews outside of Israel". This clearly infers that it's so important to be in Israel, even if it meant (years ago) endangering one's religiosity.
In addition, you can't say that "anyway Jews in Chu"l will eventually come to Israel", for one can't depend on Mashiach, for the fact is that the messianic era is trying to bring them to Israel already for many decades, but they have free-will, and stubbornly refuse to participate. In short, we should live the complete Judaism!

The Land of Israel