ChinuchAtHome

Even though the majority of the Jewish populace is still scattered around the globe, it is still crucial to study the laws pertaining to our homeland, Eretz Yisrael.

The Command

1. Every individual -- man or woman -- who dwells in Eretz Yisro'el fulfills the positive command,

And you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the Land and dwell therein, for I have given you the Land to possess it (Bemidbar 33:53)

2. The primary fulfillment of dwelling in and settling Eretz Yisro'el is through permanent residence, building or buying a home and tilling the soil.

3. You must prepare a festive meal (seudah shel mitzvah ) when dedicating your home in Eretz Yisro'el, but not when doing so in the Diaspora.

Short Visits

4. You also fulfill the command of dwelling in Eretz Yisro'el when temporarily there or even on a short visit. The Talmud teaches that one who steps even 4 cubits (~ 7 ft.) into Eretz Yisro'el merits the World of Reward.

5. Burial in the Land brings with it expiation from sin. However, this does not supplant settling the Land. Many righteous individuals, emulating Ya'akov and Yosef, command that their bodies be brought to Eretz Yisro'el for burial.

Holiness of Jerusalem

6. The holiness of Jerusalem exceeds that of th erest of Eretz Yisro'el; therefore, its rebuilding and settlement takes precedence over that of other parts of the Land. It is also of greater merit to live in Jerusalem than elsewhere in Eretz Yisro'el.

7. The holiest spot on earth is the Temple Mount, which encloses the site of the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. Becaue of its sanctity and the problem of entering the ara while bearing ritual uncleanliness, it if forbidden to go onto the Temple Mount for any purpose.

Not leaving the Land

8. One may not leave Eretz Yisro'el, unless it is a matter of great importance such as studying Torah, marriage, business, or visiting parents. However, even in these instances, one may only plan to stay abroad temporarily. Except for reasons of famine, exhorbitantly high costs of living, or foreign oppression, it is forbidden to leave permanently. Even in these drastic situations when leaving is permitted, to do so is not characteristic of a G-d - fearing individual.

9. Our Sages used to kiss the ground and stones of Eretz Yisro'el when entering the Land and roll about in its dust.

For your servants take pleasure in its stones and favor the dust thereof (Psalms 102:15).

10. R. Eliezer used to make a festive meal for the Sages when he travelled to Eretz Yisro'el.

Not selling the Land

11. It is forbidden to sell houses and fields in Eretz Yisro'el to Gentiles, in order to discourage their permanent settlement. It is permitted, however, to rent houses to them, although not fields.

12. Those living in Eretz Yisro'el must study the laws that apply to the agricultural products grown on the Land - terumos, ma'asesros, orlah, shevi'is -- so that they do not transgress out of ignorance.

Taken from Yad L'Achim Wall Calendar, Shevat Adar I 5768

To subscribe, 1800 709-2005 Yad L'Achim, 579 Fifth Avenue, Room 1420 New York, NY 10017

(0161) 740-9993 UK and Europe, Yad L'Achim, 114 Leicester Road, Salford M7 4GF, Manchester, England.

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