- Family and Society
- Settling the Land of Israel
Halacha or Not?
Question
I recently recieved a daily halacha from a Rabbi who says that it is permissible to live outside of Israel, and describes why.
Is this correct? Is it an obligation or not? How does one respond to this?
Answer
As far as I know, everyone agree that living is Israel is a very big Mitzva, and the value of doing the Mitzvot in Eretz Yisrael is much bigger than doing them in the diaspora. Every G-d fearing Jew that wishes to increase his Mitzva fulfillment in quality and quantity should try to make Alyia. Just like people wear a garment with four corners in order to do the Mitzva of Tzitzit, though no one is obliged to wear such a garment, just for the Mitzva. A Jew should try just the same to make Aliya, even if he thinks there is no obligation to do so, since the fact he is in Israel will increase the value of his Mitzvot. Hence, there is no reason in debating if it's a Mitzva, and people are obliged to make Aliya or not, living in Eretz Yisrael is a very big Mitzva. Every Yare Shamaim who likes the Mitzvot has nothing to do in Chutz La'aretz. Every day he stays out of Israel it is as if he has no G-d (Ketubot 110:2), and is worshipping idols. And whoever lives in Eretz Yisrael is like on who has a G-d (ibid). One who lives out of Israel and detests the desired land is following the footsteps of the Meraglim.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed

Love of Family vs. Love of Hashem
Rabbi David Samson | 26 Tishrei 5763

Baale Tosafot and not going to Israel
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 28, 5781

Dwelling in the Land of Israel
Rabbi David Samson | 11 Elul 5763

living in Israel
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Iyyar 26, 5769

Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.

Non-Kosher wine for cooking
7 Kislev 5763

I love pork
23 Cheshvan 5763

Mistake in the Kiddushin
3 Tevet 5763

The Blessing of keeping The Laws of Niddah
15 Cheshvan 5763

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Jews murdering prophets
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 2, 5780
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770
Teshuvah between Individuals
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Kislev 10, 5784

Women sitting with crossed legs in synagogue
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 6, 5784

Hugging a woman without sexual connotations
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 15, 5784
