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Is there a Mitzvah to live in Israel?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

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“You shall clear out the Land and settle in it, for I have given you the Land to occupy it”.1

Nachmanides as well as other Biblical commentators and Halachic authorities consider this verse a mandatory commandment – obligating every Jew to live in the Land of Israel. This Mitzvah is so significant that the Midrash tells us that this Mitzvah is the equivalent of all other Mitzvahs combined!

According to most Halachic authorities, this Mitzvah is not compulsory now that we are in exile. This is why there were so many great Tzaddikim throughout the generations who did not immigrate to Israel. However, any individual who does live in Israel is certainly fulfilling a great (yet not obligatory) Mitzvah. Clearly, the Land never lost any of its inherent holiness. The Talmud relates how the greatest of our sages would kiss the stones of the Land or even roll on its earth! As the Psalmist says2, “For Your servants desired its stones and favored its dust.”

The holiness of the Land is so potent, that it benefits even those who are buried therein; “One who is buried in the Land of Israel, is considered as if he was buried beneath the altar”.3 This is (one of the reasons) why Jacob was so insistent that his children shlep him to Israel to be buried. For those who are buried outside Israel, the custom is to place soil from Israel into the casket together with the deceased.

Even one who only visits the Land is a beneficiary of its holiness. The Talmud4 says that “one who walks four cubits in the Land of Israel will merit a portion in the world to come.”[Today, in particular, it is vital to visit Israel to demonstrate our support for our Israeli brethren in these difficult times. Visiting Israel also contributes to the Israeli economy which is suffering greatly due to a dearth of tourists.]

The Lubavitcher Rebbe maintained that those who live in the Diaspora, but are in a position where they can serve as a positive influence on others—helping them study Torah, doing mitzvahs, or serving as a Jewish role model—should stay in their community and continue with this holy work. It is selfish to do an optional mitzvah if it will have a negative affect on others. Additionally, according to Kabbalah, the Jews were dispersed throughout the nations in order to reveal and elevate all the sparks of holiness which exist throughout the world. Therefore, if Divine Providence has placed you in a particular location, is it surely because there are holy sparks which you must reveal – thus bringing the holiness of Israel to the entire world.

Footnotes

  • 1. Numbers 33:53
  • 2. 102:15
  • 3. Talmud tractate Ketubot 111a
  • 4. Talmud tractate Ketubot 111a

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Mitzvah
(pl. Mitzvot). A commandment from G-d. Mitzvah also means a connection, for a Jew connects with G–d through fulfilling His commandments.
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Talmud
Usually referring to the Babylonian edition, it is a compilation of Rabbinic law, commentary and analysis compiled over a 600 year period (200 BCE - 427 CE). Talmudic verse serves as the bedrock of all classic and modern-day Torah-Jewish literature.
Halachic
Pertaining to Jewish Law.
Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism. The word Kaballah means "reception," for we cannot physically perceive the Divine, we merely study the mystical truths which were transmitted to us by G-d Himself through His righteous servants.
Rebbe
A Chassidic master. A saintly person who inspires followers to increase their spiritual awareness.
Lubavitcher
One who follows the teachings of the Chassidic group which was formerly based in the Belarus village of Lubavitch. Today, the movement is based in Brooklyn, New York with branches worldwide. The Lubavitch movement is also widely known as "Chabad."
Midrash
(Pl. Midrashim). Non-legal material of anecdotal or allegorical nature, designed either to clarify historical material, or to teach a moral point. The Midrashim were compiled by the sages who authored the Mishna and Talmud (200 BCE-500 CE).
Jacob
Third of the three Patriarchs and father of the Twelve Tribes. Lived most his life in Canaan and died in Egypt in 1505 BCE. Also known by the name of "Israel."
Tzaddikim
Plural form of Tzaddik. A Tzaddik is a saint, or righteous person.