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8.22.2006

ZIONISM / ANTI-----yishuv eretz yisroel? II


Nobody says or ever said that you are not allowed to live in Israel. Even the Neturei Karta lives in Israel!

No, no, no. The claims against Zionism arise primarily out of the violation of the Oaths that say not to make Israel into a Jewish State until Moshiach comes. Or to "start" the National return to Eretz Yisroel in any way.

During Golus, Jews are supposed to live all over the world. There are opinions in the Rishonim (most well known is the Ramban) that there is a Mitzvah nowadays to live in Eretz Yisroel, and there are equal and opposite opinions (most well known is the Tosfos and, according to Megilas Esther, the Rambam) that say there is not Mitzvah nowadays to live in Eretz Yisroel.

Every person needs to decide where he can serve Hashem best, and that’s where he should be, whether it be in Eretz Yisroel or elsewhere.

I once asked Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky ZTL if he holds there is a Mitzvah to live in Eretz Yisroel nowadays. He said "Yes."

Then I asked him "So why are you living in CHutz La'Aretz?"

He said "What will be with the Yiddien?" (meaning his Talmidim and those he has an influence on here)

So I said "So tell them to go to Eretz Yisroel too!"

He answered, "Not everyone should go. It’s easier to bring up children here. Especially girls."

This was in 1978.

So of course not, nobody says you should leave Eretz Yisroel. It is great to live there. The problem isn’t living there - that’s far from a problem! - The problem is making it into a state or beginning a national, end-the-golus type of ascent.

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