Eretz Israel is the only place where a Jew can fully develop his soul

This is probably one of the most triggering posts because so many Jews fight against the most basic ideas in the Torah. Especially when it comes to making Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael. The Ramban writes in the that living in Eretz Yisrael is a positive Mitzvah based on the Pasuk that says “You shall possess the land and you shall settle in it, for to you have I given the land to possess it” (Bamidbar 33:53).

Yet, many poskim seem to disagree, including Rav Moshe Feinstein. The position of the Rambam however has not been clarified and is still the subject of much discussion since he doesn’t count living in Eretz Israel in the Yad HaChazakah (as well as in Sefer HaMitzvot) as part of the 613 Mitzvot.

Nowadays, however, the question is not whether it’s a Mitzvah or not, for 2 main reasons:

1. The essence of a Jewish soul can only be fully realized in Eretz Yisrael with the full spectrum of Mitzvot that can only be observed here.
2. Eretz Yisrael is the only place which will enjoy miracles beyond our comprehension in the coming war which is already heating up in the world.

The question then is actually: What do you gain by coming to Israel?

I don’t think I could do justice to the honor, the elevation, the blessings and the merit of moving to the Holy Land. Nothing I write will ever be enough in this regard, because living in Eretz Israel is not only equivalent to all the Mitzvot of the Torah, but every single Mitzvah done here is much higher than done outside. This is a simple fact (see below).

Hashem loves the Land more than anything. He gave it to us to conquer and live. The Zohar writes that when a Jew comes to be buried here (after death), he arouses tremendous Dinim (judgments) upon him. Hashem asks “Is my Land not good enough for you to live that you come to contaminate it with your dead body?” (there is a concern in the Talmud that we try our best to limit the amount of impurities in the Land).

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov explains that Eretz Yisrael is an aspect of Emunah. What this means is that one is not thoroughly tested until he comes to the holy land. In Shaaarei Kedusha, Rabbi Chaim Vital teaches that Eretz Israel is situated in the world of Yetzirah, while the rest of the world is in the world of Assiyah. This is likely based on the Zohar that writes that even the Angel of Death is more compassionate in the holy land. In fact it’s the Malakh Gavriel, who takes upon himself the duty of taking the souls from here.

Sources for the greatness of Eretz Israel

Here we have some of the sources I found in regards to living in the Holy Land:

1. “Sefer Chareidim” (Mitzvot Asei HaTeluyot B’Eretz Israel, Chapter I, Section 15) articulates a clear and positive biblical mandate to reside in Eretz Israel. It references the scriptural instruction, “You shall possess it and dwell in it” (Devarim 17:14, 26:I).
2. The significance of this commandment is further underscored by the teachings of Chazal, who equate this particular mitzvah with the collective value of all the mitzvot in the Torah, as noted in “Sifrei, Re’eh 28.” Additionally, this commandment is acknowledged as one of the 613 mitzvot by prominent Jewish scholars such as the Ramban and the Rashbetz.
3. Rabbi Menachem ha Meiri teaches that it is a mitzvah, a religious duty, for every Jewish person to establish and maintain a residence in Eretz Israel to the best of their ability.
4. The Shelah and Sefer Yereim emphasize the profound importance of yearning for Eretz Israel, teaching that one should always nurture a deep desire and affection for the land, as expressed in the scriptural verse, “And your eyes and your heart shall be there all the days” (based on I Melachim 9:3).
5. This teaching (#4) is further elaborated in “Yeaarot Devash, beginning of Derashah 14,” which asserts that even if a person possesses all that he desires, he should recognize a sense of incompleteness if he is not in Eretz Israel. The absence of being in Eretz Israel should be a source of sorrow, as it represents the absence of something fundamentally important.
6. The “Or ha Chayim” on Devarim 30:20 explains that settling in Eretz Israel is a mitzvah that encompasses the entirety of the Torah. It further teaches that anyone who walks four Amot in Eretz Israel secures a share in the Olam HaBah (World to Come)
7. In Bamidbar Rabba 23, it is expressed that HaKadosh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Blessed be He) declares His profound love for Eretz Israel, stating that it is more beloved to Him than everything else.
8. Additionally, in Tanchuma Behar 1, it is conveyed that Eretz Israel holds a special place in Divine affection, being more beloved and sanctified by HaKadosh Baruch Hu than all other lands.
9. The Peleh Yoetz, in his writings, teaches that those residing in Eretz Israel should consistently rejoice in their mitzvah of living in the Holy Land. He emphasizes that any hardships endured should be considered trivial compared to the love and commitment to this mitzvah, as elaborated in “Peleh Yoetz Eretz.”
10. Living in the deserts of Eretz Israel is deemed more favorable than residing in the luxurious palaces outside the Holy Land (Bereshit Rabba 39:8)
11. Midrash Tehillim 105 states that in order to witness the Divine Presence (Shechina) in this world, one should engage in the study of Torah within Eretz Israel.
12. True happiness is realized only when Israel is settled in the Holy Land (Zohar ha Kaddosh Bamidbar 118a)
13. Rabbi Elimelech Mi Lizensk teaches that complete happiness and the highest level of sanctity (great Keddusha) are attainable exclusively in Eretz Israel, unlike in foreign lands.
14. The greatest negation of the Torah (Bittul Torah) occurred with the exile of the Jews from their homeland (Chagigah 5b)
15. The Almighty is recognized as ‘King’ solely in the context of Eretz Israel (Zohar haKaddosh 3:276a)

In the context of a marital disagreement regarding moving to the Land of Israel, Jewish law as stated in Ketubot 100 offers clear guidelines: If the husband wishes to move to Israel and the wife does not, she must agree to relocate; if she refuses, she can be divorced without receiving her Ketuba (marital contract). Conversely, if the wife desires to move to Israel and the husband opposes, he is compelled to agree to the move; if he refuses, he must divorce her and pay the full amount specified in her Ketuba.

R. Natan offers an interpretation of the verse from Shemot 20:6, “And doing kindness to thousands of generations to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” According to his commentary in Yalkut Shimoni, Yitro 292, this verse specifically pertains to individuals who reside in Eretz Israel and are committed to the observance of all the Mitzvot.

In Sanhedrin 98a (Rashi’s Commentary) we see that R. Abba interprets a verse from Yechezkel (36:8) as a sign of the end of days, indicating that when Eretz Israel abundantly yields its fruits, it heralds the nearness of the end times, with no clearer sign than this.

This is happening now.

Secrets from the Chesed L’Avraham (Rabbi Avraham Azulai)

The following is an excerpt from the Chesed L’Avraham (Maayan 3 Nahar 13). It might sound harsh, but it has to be said:

“Understand that an individual departing from the land of Israel temporarily, under the condition of a swift return, and thus leaving behind his family in Israel, retains his Yetziratic soul intact. However, this soul becomes enveloped by an additional Nefesh from the Asiyatic realm. Consequently, this individual is obligated to observe Jewish holidays outside the land just as he would within, due to his clear intention to return.

This acquisition of an Asiyatic soul serves a beneficial purpose. Without this protective layer, the Yetziratic soul would be vulnerable to the klipot (forces of impurity), leading to its defilement. In His mercy and compassion, God shields the Yetziratic soul with an Asiyatic layer, preventing its contamination by the klipot. Additionally, the degree of attachment by the klipot varies according to the spiritual cleanliness of each location.

This explanation primarily concerns those born in the land of Israel. For those born outside and moving to Israel with the intent of permanent residence, a transformation occurs upon nearing the land. The klipot are shed, and they enter Israel with only the Asiyatic soul.

Subsequently, the Yetziratic soul integrates into the Asiyatic like a knife in a sheath. Should such an individual later relocate outside Israel, the newly acquired Yetziratic soul remains in Israel, with only the original Asiyatic soul accompanying them, again subject to the klipot.

Understand further that those visiting Israel temporarily undergo a different process. Upon approaching the land, their klipot are removed, but they retain solely their Asiyatic soul. As their intention is not permanent residency, they do not acquire a Yetziratic soul. Hence, their observance of Jewish holidays must align with the practices outside of Israel.”

The secret of the one who lives in the land of Israel, during the coming of the Mashiach

This, again is from the Chesed L’Avraham:

“Know that we hold a tradition, affirming that on the day when King Mashiach arrives, heralding the reunification of the exiles to the Land of Israel, a remnant of 7000 children of Israel will be present in the land. Concurrently, on this auspicious day, the deceased of the Land of Israel will be resurrected.

Additionally, the walls of Jerusalem will undergo a miraculous transformation, being reconstructed from precious stones and pearls. At this moment, the resurrected of the Land of Israel will emerge as newly spiritual beings.

Similarly, the 7000 Israelites who survive will also undergo a transformation, becoming new creations with spiritual bodies. These bodies will be akin to those of Adam before his sin, and like those of Chanoch, Moshe Rabeinu, and Eliyahu, enabling them to soar through the air like eagles. This extraordinary event will be witnessed by all those gathered from the diaspora.

When the exiles behold their brethren, reborn and ascending through the air, destined for the lower Gan Eden to study Torah directly from the Holy One, Blessed be He, they will be filled with a deep sense of wonder and yearning. Overwhelmed with emotion, they will question King Mashiach. They will express their feelings of inequality and inquire why they, too, have not been granted such spiritual embodiment.

The response of Mashiach will be a revelation of God’s nature, highlighting His principle of ‘measure for measure’. Mashiach will explain that those who were resurrected or transformed had once lived outside the Land of Israel and had endured immense hardships to reach it, seeking spiritual purification without concern for their physical or material comforts.

They braved perilous seas and land journeys, faced the threats of robbery, and suffered under oppressive regimes, all for the sake of inhabiting the Holy Land. This unwavering devotion and sacrifice, Mashiach will elucidate, is the reason for their transformation into elevated spiritual beings.”

“For the essence of their spirit and soul, they endured these trials, leading them to attain the state of complete spiritual beings, in a perfect embodiment of the principle ‘measure for measure’.

On the other hand, all of you, who possessed the opportunity to journey to the Land of Israel just as they did, allowed financial concerns to deter you. Your preoccupations with physical safety and monetary stability became paramount in your lives, overshadowing the importance of your spirit and soul. Consequently, you have retained your physical forms.”

Final thoughts on the current world situation

Only a blind person with no Sekhel (intellect) can’t see that Jews are facing huge danger worldwide. Anti-semitism is at an all-time high, our enemies are gathering against us and no longer concealing their intents, and man ares looking for just the “perfect scapegoat” for all their financial woes.

There’s no better time to come than now. For the Jews that don’t speak Hebrew, I recommend hiring Aliyah Paveway with whom I worked for a while before starting my blog. They help Jews settle and provide many interesting services including a liaison officer to help you with bureaucracy.

The Land is open for all Jews to settle here and we are approaching the time when the doors to make Aliyah will be locked. Based on all the sources above, one can conclude the Tikkunim we achieve outside of the Land of Israel has no comparison to those we achieve within. And, yes, true Kabbalah can only be learned in the Holy Land as even the most fundamental books like the Otzrot Chaim by Rabbi Chaim VItal are very difficult to find.

My wife and I moved here some 10 years ago, and have never been happier. Sure, it was difficult in the beginning but Hashem has been very kind to us and helped us get all that needed. We adapted, we grew, and this has been the best decision of our lives.

And remember: The Land of Israel lacks nothing. (Berachot 36)