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I’ve gone back and forth in my head whether to write this, but honestly, I can’t hold it in anymore. As you know, I’ve been quite vocal lately about the importance of Aliyah, of Jews coming back home to Israel. I’ve had what is probably close to 500 calls with people who have questions about moving to Israel. I have hundreds more meetings lined up. I’ve been asked many questions such as how to make a living, where to live, how important is Hebrew, and many more. (Many of the answers are easily accessible on Nefesh B'Nefesh’s website.) I also had quite a bit of push back, some points more legit than others. “How is Israel safer than America? You had 10/7!” “How can Israel possibly handle millions of Jews moving there?” I’ll address those and other questions later but I want to focus here on one thing that drives me absolutely up the wall!! I’m referring to rabbis or Orthodox Jews who refuse to come because they and their children are sheltered there, wherever they are, and they don’t want to move to Israel for religious reasons! Religious reasons. Aka these people think they’re too religious to listen to what God wants from them! This drives me crazy. Before I get into it, I have one question. The story of the spies in the Torah. 12 of the biggest rabbis of the generation went into the land to make sure it’s possible for the nation to enter. Famously ten came back and told the people not to go in, that they can’t go in, that they’re not strong enough. They and the entire nation were severely punished for that. Some say we are still experiencing the punishment for that transgression today. Did you ever ask yourself how that happened? How did ten spiritual leaders literally defy God’s wishes? What did they tell themselves to justify their behavior? Think about it. It’s quite obvious. They told themselves “We are very religious here in the desert. We have clouds of glory. We have food from the heavens and water from rocks. We are very close to God here. We see His miracles daily. We have a direct line of communication to God here in the desert. Go into this land of milk and honey? Build an economy? An army? Yea, no thanks. We’ll just stay here where we can be more religious.” God responded “You don’t get it. It’s not your job to be more religious. Go into the land. That is your job!” Today, so many rabbis are not encouraging their congregation to move to Israel. Some are even doing the opposite. “Don’t go to Israel. Your kids will become less religious. You’ll be exposed to secular Jews. Go to Israel when Mashiach comes. Today it’s just a secular country. Stay here in Teaneck. Stay here in Borough Park. Stay here in the five towns. Stay here in Lakewood.” Have these people lost their minds???? They are doing EXACTLY what the spies did! But you know what? Let’s get into this. Here’s an open letter to a rabbi or an Orthodox Jew that is not coming to Israel for religious reasons. “Tell me, Rabbi, what other Torah commandment do you just ignore because it’s inconvenient? If kosher food was hard to come by, would you eat non kosher food? If Shabbat was hard to keep, would you desecrate the Shabbos? Oh, you don’t think it’s a mitzvah to live in Israel? Ok, you asked for it. Tell me please, after reading the following, would you see this amount of sources that something is a Torah commandment and ignore it or is it only when it comes to Aliyah? Here we go. Torah Sources: ∙Genesis 12:1 - God’s command to Abraham: “Go forth from your land… to the land that I will show you” ∙Genesis 17:8 - “I assign the land you sojourn in to you and your offspring to come, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession” ∙Exodus 6:8 - “I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession” ∙Deuteronomy 11:31-32 - “You are about to cross the Jordan to enter and possess the land… you shall observe faithfully all the laws and rules” ∙Deuteronomy 12:29 - “When the Lord your God has cut down before you the nations that you are about to enter and dispossess” ∙Deuteronomy 26:1 - “When you enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a heritage” ∙Numbers 33:53-54 - “You shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have assigned the land to you to possess” Warnings About Leaving: ∙Leviticus 18:25-28 - Warning that the land will “vomit out” its inhabitants for sin ∙Deuteronomy 28-30 - Blessings for dwelling in the land, curses for exile Ok those are the commandments to settle this land from the written Torah. “Yes, there is a mitzvah to live in Israel but not now, not before Mashiach comes and definitely not if it’s going to expose my kids to things that’ll affect their spirituality negatively. Ok, let’s explore that opinion. Talmudic Sources Tractate Ketubot: ∙Ketubot 110b - “A person should always live in the Land of Israel, even in a city whose majority are idol worshipers, and should not live outside the Land, even in a city whose majority are Jews” ∙Ketubot 110b - “Anyone who lives in the Land of Israel is considered as one who has a God, and anyone who lives outside the Land is considered as one who does not have a God” ∙Ketubot 111a - “Anyone who walks four cubits in the Land of Israel is guaranteed a place in the World to Come” ∙Ketubot 112a - “It is better to live in the deserts of the Land of Israel than in palaces outside the Land” Other Talmudic References: ∙Bava Batra 91a - Elimelech and his family punished for leaving the Land during famine ∙Sotah 14a - Moses’s great desire was to enter the Land of Israel ∙Pesachim 113a - Preference for living in Israel despite hardships ∙Gittin 8b - Special legal provisions to enable moving to Israel ∙Avodah Zarah 13a - Permission to do business with idol worshipers in Israel to facilitate settlement Tell me please, if you read that many sources about any other mitzvah, would you say “Yea, but that doesn’t apply today. Besides I don’t think it’s a mitzvah from the Torah. It’s just a rabbinic thing.” Really? A rabbinic thing? And let’s say that’s true, do you wear a kippah? Why? Is that in the Torah? No, it’s a rabbinic thing. Why do you follow that but not the mitzvah to live in Israel? Do you wait between eating meat and milk? Why? It’s a rabbinic thing. Do you wear a four cornered garment so you can wear tzitizit? Why? It’s a rabbinic thing… “All of those sources are fine but they don’t apply today.” Alrighty then, let’s continue, shall we? Rishonim (Early Medieval Authorities) Rambam (Maimonides, 1138-1204): ∙Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 5:9-12 - Extensive discussion of the mitzvah to conquer and settle the Land, calling it a positive commandment binding in all generations ∙Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Ishut 13:19-20 - Either spouse can compel the other to move to Israel; refusal is grounds for divorce ∙Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive Commandment #4 - Counts settling the Land as one of the 613 commandments ∙Letter to Yemen - Emphasizes the centrality of the Land to Jewish destiny Ramban (Nachmanides, 1194-1270): ∙Commentary on Sefer HaMitzvot - His most famous statement: settling the Land is a positive commandment applying in all times, not just during Temple periods ∙Additions to Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive Commandment #4 - Living in and settling the Land is an unconditional mitzvah ∙Commentary on Numbers 33:53 - Elaborates on the eternal nature of the commandment ∙Letters from the Land of Israel - Personal testimony of the importance of living there despite hardships Rashbam (Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir, 1085-1158): ∙Commentary on Genesis 12:1 - Discusses the foundational command to go to the Land Ritva (Rabbi Yom Tov Ishbili, 1250-1330): ∙Commentary on Ketubot 110b - Analyzes the Talmudic statements about living in Israel Ran (Rabbenu Nissim, 1320-1376): ∙Commentary on Ketubot - Discusses the obligation and its parameters Meiri (Rabbi Menachem Meiri, 1249-1310): ∙Beit HaBechirah on Ketubot 110b - Commentary on living in the Land Sefer HaChinuch (Anonymous, 13th century Spain): ∙Mitzvah #425 - Lists conquering and settling the Land as a biblical commandment ∙States this applies “in every time and generation” Rabbeinu Yerucham (14th century): ∙Toldot Adam v’Chavah - Discusses the mitzvah of settling Israel Smag (Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, Rabbi Moshe of Coucy, 13th century): ∙Positive Commandment #74 - Includes settling the Land among the commandments Orchot Chaim (Rabbi Aharon HaKohen of Lunel, 14th century): ∙Discusses the importance of living in Israel This list represents the major traditional sources, though there are many additional commentaries and discussions throughout rabbinic literature. The question of whether living in Israel is obligatory in all times or specifically relates to conquest has been debated among authorities, with Ramban being the strongest advocate for it as an eternal, unconditional commandment.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ “Yea, but those are not modern sources. They didn’t live in this generation. They didn’t understand the complexities of moving to Israel.” Ok, you sure you wanna open that can of worms? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022) One of the most revered Haredi poseks of recent times (not exactly a Zionist), Rabbi Kanievsky strongly encouraged aliyah, particularly as global antisemitism increased. He consistently ruled that living in Israel was preferable and told Jews in the Diaspora they should make aliyah. In his later years, he became increasingly vocal that Jews should come to Israel for safety reasons, stating that the Land of Israel provides unique protection even during dangerous times. He famously said that a street cleaner in Israel is more righteous than a chief rabbi in America. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (1920-2013) The Sephardic Chief Rabbi and founder of Shas, Rabbi Ovadia ruled that living in Israel is a mitzvah that applies in all generations. He held that the mitzvah of yishuv ha’aretz (settling the Land) is biblical and ongoing. While he was pragmatic about individual circumstances, he maintained that ideally all Jews should live in Israel and that the Land has inherent kedusha (holiness) that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu (1929-2010) Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Eliyahu was emphatic that living in Israel is a continuous biblical commandment. He taught that every Jew has an obligation to live in Eretz Yisrael when possible, and he actively encouraged aliyah from communities worldwide, particularly emphasizing the spiritual elevation that comes from living in the Holy Land. Rabbi Avraham Shapira (1914-2007) Former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav, Rabbi Shapira ruled definitively that the mitzvah of yishuv Eretz Yisrael applies today and takes precedence over many other considerations. He held that living in Israel is not optional but obligatory when feasible, and he encouraged religious Zionism’s emphasis on settling throughout the Land. Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook (1891-1982) Son of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and his ideological successor, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda taught that living in Israel is among the most fundamental mitzvot. He held that the establishment of the State of Israel was the “beginning of the flowering of our redemption” and that all Jews should participate in building the Land. His influence shaped modern Religious Zionist thought on the centrality of living in Israel. Rabbi Shlomo Goren (1917-1994) Former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi and IDF Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Goren ruled that yishuv Eretz Yisrael is a biblical commandment applicable today. He wrote extensively on the halachic imperative to live in and defend the Land of Israel, arguing that it supersedes many other religious obligations. He actively called for mass aliyah and Jewish sovereignty throughout the biblical Land of Israel. Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein (1933-2015) Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion and son-in-law of Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rabbi Lichtenstein taught that while there are legitimate disagreements about whether living in Israel is biblically commanded today, there is tremendous religious value in aliyah. He personally chose to live in Israel and encouraged others to seriously consider it as the preferred place for Jewish life. These rabbis represent different streams within Orthodoxy—Haredi, Sephardic, Religious Zionist—yet share the common position that living in Israel carries profound halachic and spiritual significance, with most ruling it as an active obligation rather than merely a preference.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Listen, are there sources that say otherwise? Sure. If you want to find those, they’re available. The Satmar rebbe for example, a Torah giant by any standards. So is that your source not to move to Israel? Great. What other opinions of the satmar rebbe do you live by? The satmar rebbe also advocated for minimal interaction with secular society and strongly opposed secular education, television, and most modern technology beyond basic necessities. So do you follow that opinion too or do you only listen to the satmar rebbe when it fits your agenda? He’s not your source and I’m oversimplifying a complicated issue? Great. Show me your source that a Jew shouldn’t live in Israel in modern times but before you do, ask yourself if that source you’re about to quote is someone you’d follow on other religious issues or only this topic. You know, you really don’t have to use any of these sources to know that you belong here. God gave you a brain. Use it. After thousands of years of exile, God brought us back to this land and revived the language of Hebrew. That’s not enough for you? Just in case you have any doubt that God is here with us in the land of Israel, He performs daily miracles that are of biblical proportions and just like in the Bible itself, so many of our brothers and sisters refused to see them. Open your eyes! If God didn’t want us here, why would He allow us to build a technological empire? Why would He allow us to win all those wars? Why would He enable us to lead the world in military strength? If we were not meant to be here, why would God make Israelis some of the happiest people on earth? Why would He make Israelis lead the world in birth rate? God had nothing to do with those things? Really? Is that your opinion? That God is not involved in the modern state of Israel? And you call yourself religious? What about the fact that the majority of Jews are now in Israel? Doesn’t that say anything to you? What about the fact that there is more Torah learning in Israel than ever before? Listen, if you want to stay where you are, that’s fine. That’s your decision and I respect it. But don’t you dare use my Torah to justify your decision. The Torah does NOT back you up. The Torah could not be any clearer. You should be in Israel and as the Ramban says, you are only practicing being a Jew in the diaspora. You are not keeping the Torah over there. If you are not coming to Israel for other reasons, that’s fine. We can discuss those another time. But if you think you can use God to justify your staying there, you are absolutely fooling yourself. Have you ever heard of confirmation bias? “Confirmation bias is the psychological tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs while ignoring or discounting contradictory evidence. It is an unconscious cognitive bias that affects decision-making, leading to flawed analysis in areas like science, investing, and daily life.” Stop fooling yourself and at least be honest. You don’t want to come here and now you’re trying to justify that bad decision by searching for sources to back it up. “But it’s dangerous there. I’d be risking my life. Surely the Torah doesn’t want that!” Ever hear of a milchemet mitzvah? Allow me to remind you. A milchemet mitzvah (מלחמת מצווה) is a “commanded war” or “obligatory war” in Jewish law - a war that Jews are religiously obligated to fight. So what constitutes a milchemet mitzvah? A war fought to defend Jewish lives from attackers. This is considered an ongoing obligation and doesn’t require special authorization. In milchemet mitzvah, even a bridegroom would leave his wedding chamber to fight, according to the Mishnah. So yea, we are fighting for our survival here and you’re staying there because it’s too dangerous here? Do you even hear yourself? Would you also leave me to bleed out if you saw me on the side of the road or would you stop to help me, to save me? You think Israel is not for you? That we have too many internal and external issues? Well, you’re right, we do. So come here and help us overcome our challenges! Don’t stay there and point fingers! The funniest is when I see a diaspora Jew complain that the Hareidim in Israel should draft to the army. Are you freaking kidding me?? You’re complaining about them not drafting from the couch in your Teaneck living room? Your kids are going to Ivy League colleges where they are not welcome while my kid is in Lebanon and Gaza? How do you justify that? What do you tell yourself? Tell yourself whatever you want. We both know the truth. If there was ANY other commandment that had this many sources, you, as a religious Jew, would never dare ignore them and you’d immediately fulfill that commandment to its fullest. So if you keep Shabbat and kosher, if you wear a kippa and tzitzit, if you wait between meat and milk and consider yourself an observant Jew, then I’d like to make a suggestion. Open your siddur, the one you use every day to pray from. I’ll wait. It’s open? Great. Now choose any prayer that you say daily. Choose anything. Do you see it? You pray every single day to return to Israel like Jews have done for thousands of years! ∙“Teka b’shofar gadol” (Sound the great shofar) - The 10th blessing asking for the ingathering of exiles to Israel ∙“V’lirushalayim ircha” (To Jerusalem Your city) - The 14th blessing requesting the rebuilding of Jerusalem and return of Divine presence there ∙“Et tzemach David” (The offspring of David) - The 15th blessing praying for the restoration of Davidic kingship in Jerusalem In Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals): ∙“Boneh b’rachamav Yerushalayim” (Who rebuilds Jerusalem in His mercy) - The third blessing specifically focused on the rebuilding of Jerusalem ∙“Nodeh lecha…al eretz chemdah tovah u’rechavah” (We thank You for the desirable, good and spacious land) - Expressing gratitude for the Land of Israel itself In Morning Blessings: Additional prayers: ∙Verses from Psalms 126 and 137 - About Zion, Jerusalem, and yearning for return ∙“L’shanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim” - While traditionally said at Passover and Yom Kippur, some include it in daily prayers These prayers have been recited by Jews in the diaspora for centuries as expressions of longing, and take on renewed significance when said by those actually living in Israel today.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ God has answered your prayers so what exactly are you waiting for? The bottom line is that the Torah and our sources could not possibly have been any clearer. Jews are supposed to be in Israel. The diaspora is exile and it is a punishment. God has let us out and like we are reading in the Torah portions, so many Jews are not listening. Like the story of the plagues, things are happening naturally. In so many plagues, the Torah goes out of its way to say how God used wind and other natural forces to cause the plagues. That’s why Pharaoh didn’t believe it was God and that’s why the Israelites themselves didn’t see it. The same is true for the splitting of the sea. After everything God did for us; we still complained when we got to the sea. It took one person, Nachshon to jump in and cause the sea to split. Everyone else ignored God’s message to go into the land. How are we repeating the same mistake they made back then? So, yea, you want to stay there? Go right ahead but just know this. God gave you a gift and you took the gift, threw it on the ground, stepped on it, crushed it, then spit in the face of the One who gave it to you. You belong in Israel. You need us, but even more than that, we need you. And I haven’t even mentioned the increasing antisemitism, which is also God sending a strong message that you’re not welcome there. But that’s not the reason to come home. One day, you’ll meet your Creator and you’ll ask Him, “I prayed for You to bring me home. Why didn’t You?” God will look at you all confused and say “I didn’t bring you home? I sent you ElAl. I sent you Nefesh B’Nefesh. I made Israel paradise. I performed open miracles. I even sent you Mamdani to remind you that you are not home over there. You didn’t get on the plane! Don’t put this on me. It’s on you!” Folks, come home. Shawarma is on me! 🇮🇱

Congratulations to @TuckerCarlson for being broadcasted on Iran State TV run by the IRGC, a designated terrorist organization in the US. This means the most vicious terrorist regime approves of his message. He is now "Islamist terrorist approved".

I had a great meeting in Florida with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 פגישה מצוינת עם מזכיר המדינה של ארה״ב, מרקו רוביו. @SecRubio

INSANE: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was FORCED TO BE A LEFTY by his dad, despite naturally being right-handed. When his dad began training him at 2-YEARS OLD… he made Tua throw lefty because he was also a lefty: “I'm the only lefty in the family… I'm gonna make my son a lefty”