WHY COME LIVE IN ISRAEL: The following is a Letter to the Editor published in The Jewish Observer about 2 years ago, written by Rabbi Chaim Malinowitz, the Rav of Congregation Beis Tefilloh in Ramat Beit Shemesh. It appeared in response to an earlier article that appeared in The Jewish Observer. Rabbi Malinowitz was kind enough to allow me to post it. Many thanks to Lee Caplan who pointed this out to me and got me the permission to post it.

To the Editor:

Kislev's JO's article detailed various difficulties of the American family moving to Eretz Yisrael. While the article was meant to perform a valuable public service by laying out various issues the olim and family have to contend with, and various dangers which are potentially lurking, its tone was pessimistic and negative. Every single person I spoke to who had read the article perceived it as carrying a message saying: "Do Not Come" "Come At Your Own Risk" "Keep Out!" The article became a prime weapon in the hands of those attempting to dissuade others from moving to Eretz Yisrael. It was faxed to people contemplating the move, with the message 'don't do it!' [In one case I know of, a family received it four times, from four different sources!] It was not perceived as a friendly offering of a "how- to" manual, but rather as an advisory pamphlet warning people to stay away. Many people remarked to me "I can't see how anyone in their right minds would make aliyah after reading that." One person, here already over 25 years, laughingly said- "It's a good thing I'm here already; if I were coming, I'd rip up the tickets and head back home!"

But it is no laughing matter.

People who have successfully lived and raised children here for many years, have expressed dismay, anger and resentment at the portrayal of life here. They agree that the article was well- intentioned, but feel that it did not portray the actual reality of living in Eretz Yisrael. With dedication, perseverance and hard work, the obstacles can be, and were, overcome. These very people, who have given up large houses, nice salaries and positions of prominence in their communities and have worked hard to acclimate to life in Eretz Yisrael, felt that they were being told that they were foolhardy and had exposed their families to great spiritual dangers! They felt humiliated! And we are talking about hundreds, perhaps thousands, of families who have moved here and do not regret it for a moment!

Certainly it is important for anyone considering such a major move to come with open eyes, intelligent planning and preparation. Certainly stating all relevant facts and potential pitfalls is a great help. But the all- important context is that Eretz Yisrael is the Land that HaKadosh Baruch Hu Himself chose for all Jews to live in, and that so many people have already come and have been successful in settling here! It must also be stated that of the problems encountered, many are normal “life problems” that exist in any modern society- of course they have to, but they can be, dealt with. In fact, challenges in life- avoiding dangers, dealing with problems, and growing in the process- are how Chazal themselves characterized life in Eretz Yisrael (Berachos 5a)! How can it be left unsaid that life in Eretz Yisrael is a life with an unusually close relationship with Hashem, the raison-d’etre of a Jew’s very being? That the average person living in Eretz Yisrael learns more Torah, davens with more Kavanah, does more varied chessed, has more and deeper Emunah, Bitochon and appreciation for Hashem’s gifts, and lives with more spiritual values and less materialistic ones, than in any other place in the world. That one can move here, and be successful! And the message thus can easily be:" Come, My Children! V’Shavu Banim LiG’vulam - And The Children Will Return To Their Borders”.

Let me summarize your article, with some short comments.

A) - The article begins with the obligatory "Great place to live- in theory". But then comes that discouraging concept: - EFFESS. HOWEVER- or, in more modern terminology, “Not so fast, Yankel & Sarah. Don’t get carried away. There are issues, problems, obstacles- intractable issues that call into question the wisdom of such a move in the first place” [See Ramban to Bamidbor 13:27 who explains the effect of that "But" word].

B) – "Can you be so sure you will benefit spiritually? In fact, there is a good chance your spirituality will be lessened! After all, here in Chutz La’Aretz we have an ongoing relationship with Hashem- who knows what will happen if we risk it by such a move!" [Hashem’s master plan for the Jewish people is to live in Eretz Yisrael, and therefore the potential for Kedushah and bonding with Hashem is greater than anywhere else in the world.]

C) – "The religiosity there is too intense. Who can live like that? Eretz Yisrael is very demanding- you’re living in the Palace of the King. Maybe you’d be better off staying away?" [Living in the Palace of the King is indeed a privilege, where the opportunities for growth are boundless. Virtually all who go there feel the difference, and are glad they took that risk. Just ask them!]

D) – "There are reports of children “going off the derech” And it’s getting worse and worse. What will be with our children?" [Though this tragic situation exists, it unfortunately exists as well in Flatbush, Monsey, Baltimore , Lakewood , Far Rockaway, the West Side etc. How unfair to point to world- wide problems and lay them at the door of Eretz Yisrael! As it is, various shades of possibilities of chinuch exist in greater numbers in Eretz Yisrael than in Chutz La’Aretz. A multitude of institutes and mosdos have sprung up to deal with our children's varied needs. Yes, you have to do your homework, and search them out and not be embarrassed by the non- conventional. But it is there for the taking. There are also many institutes that have undertaken to advise people initially which Yeshivas to send their children to. Use them! (And “20% of teenagers go off the derech” is a non- scientifically- derived- at statistic, plucked from thin air. And the extrapolation "3
teenagers= 40% chance of becoming non- frum" lowers the unlikely to the ludicrous.]

E) - "There are so many issues to work out! Schools, transportation, camp- everything is new".
---"Finding means of parnassa is no easy task."
---"Remember, moving there will not automatically solve your problems." [It is wrong to assign the blame for all this to Eretz Yisrael. These difficulties are true for any long- distance move one makes. Who is not aware of painful parnassa problems in Chutz La’Aretz? And isn’t Eretz Yisrael the land that is “constantly under Hashem’s direct scrutiny. The eyes of Hashem are on it at all times” (D’varim 11:12 ). What more could one want? Of course one has to have a basic game plan- that in itself is Hashem’s requirement for us. But once one has one, there should be no need to dot every i and cross every t. True, your income will be less, perhaps significantly so. But your needs are also less, as well- significantly less. Many people point to the fact that making ends meet is much easier in Eretz Yisrael due to this difference. And you will be richer in vastly more important ways.]

F) - "Society there is so polarized." [The differences- especially among "regular folk"- are not nearly as great as is made out. And besides, people ultimately find their niche. And on the contrary, the unity exhibited in Eretz Yisrael- especially in times of crisis- is tremendously inspiring. And then there's the constant chessed one encounters, which crosses all lines, and the constant interaction with all types of Jews.]

Yes, the Land is an exceedingly good land. If Hashem wants to, He can give it to us- i.e. overcome the difficulties (as so many have indeed already done). Yes, we know the problems, but we do not fear them- after all, Hashem, who takes care of us in Chutz La’Aretz, will surely not forsake us in His Land! (See Bamidbor 13:30; 14:7-9; D’vorim 1:29-33; Ramban to Bamidbor 14:9). Don’t hesitate to talk to people who have been there, done that- i.e., to people who have moved here- ask them if they regret it. Ask them how they dealt with their children’s chinuch, the issues, and the problems. Read about the fierce love our Gedolim had throughout the generations for the Holy Land and the self- sacrifice they showed to come settle there. The hardships. The difficulties. The rewards when those difficulties were overcome. Talk to people how, after a period of adjustment, they found their place in the multi- tiered frum society in Eretz Yisrael. How in the last 5, 10 years, so many
"pockets" of Anglo 'communities' have sprouted, enabling those coming to even more easily acclimate themselves, to have a kesher with Rabbanim who understand 'where they're coming from', and help answer their multitude of questions regarding coping with their new life. How these 'newer' communities offer guidance, help, chizzuk, suggestions, schools (at all levels and to all 'types'), help in all issues of chinuch bonim and banos, and all other kinds of support. How the husband (and wife) are learning more Torah than ever before. How their davening has improved. How they feel the closeness to Hashem that is promised to those who live here and are open to it. The davening at the Kosel, of course. Kever Rochel. Me’oras HaMachpelah. Tz’fas. The multitude of kivrei Avos by which one is inspired to pour his/her heart out to his/her Creator.

Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld ztz’l decried those who express a vision of Eretz Yisrael highlighted by its problems. Rather, one's attitude should be- “We will withstand all the tests; we will persevere and grow. It is in fact incumbent upon us to go up and withstand all the tests.” (Guardian of Jerusalem , Artscroll, pages 234-235).

In closing, Calev’s exhortation: “We will go up and occupy the Land- we will be able to overcome and conquer it!” (Bamidbor 13:30 ). And may the Jewish Observer publish its next issue from Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh!

Sincerely,
Chaim Malinowitz

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