Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach on Eretz Yisrael

Question: Why do we not make a Beracha on fulfilling the mitzvah of living in Israel ישוב ארץ ישראל?

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (RSZA): In order that our living in it should not seem like a burden עול since we are commanded about it, rather the opposite. We are happy and craving to settle our desired holy land. As our master the Vilna Gaon wrote in his letter “the upper worlds and lower world desire to dwell in it”.

Question: is the main reason to live in Israel in order to fulfill the mitzvos connect to Eretz Yisrael?

RSZA: No. Even nowadays there is a huge mitzvah to live in Eretz Yisrael…Nevertheless, in our times it is very possible to keep the mitzvos properly, therefore even according to Rabeinu Chanenel HaCohen in Tosfos, we have an obligation to make Aliyah. Even according the Gra, he rules that living in Israel is incumbent on us today…

Question: Is there a difference saying the “Shema” prayer in Israel vs. Chutz LaAretz.

RSZA: Yes. According to the Chassom Sofer, whoever lives in Chutz LaAretz is compared to one who does not have a G-d. Even saying Kriyas Shema in Chutz LaAretz is not like one who says Kriyas Shema in Eretz Yisrael…this is a big Mussar.

Question: Is a prayer more accepted in Eretz Yisrael compared to Chutz LaAretz?

RSZA: Yes.

Question: Israeli man wanted to know if he should send his daughter to the USA to find a Shidduch; she did not find a match here in Israel?

RSZA: Stay in Eretz Yisrael. The merit זכות of Eretz Yisrael will bring her a good Chasson.

After five months he merited to marry off his daughter to a good Chasson (a grandson of RSZA!).

Question: Should one sell their apartment in Israel?

RZSA: Before Yehoshua entered Israel he killed the king of Cheshbon (“deals”); meaning stop making deals חשבונות and come to Eretz Yisrael.

Question: A person asked Rav Moshe Feinstein if he should make Aliyah from the USA. Rav Moshe said, no. After six years Rav Moshe told him, yes. He subsequently made Aliyah after Rav Moshe died.

RSZA: Moshe spoke well, משה שפיר קאמר.

Question: RSZA ruled that one should not travel on a plane during the first nine days of Chodesh Av; because it’s dangerous. Is one allowed to travel on a plane from Chutz LaArtez to Israel during the Nine Days or on Tisha B’Av itself?

RSZA: Yes, even just to visit Israel. Even though a visitor is not fulfilling the mitzvah of living in Israel, just being here has an advantage. For whoever walks four amos in Eretz Yisrael is guaranteed that he is a “Ben Olam Habah”.

Question: is one allowed to use Ma’aser money to assist one in the Aliyah process to Israel?

RSZA: Yes. If one’s intention is to live here, or find ways to live here it is permitted to use this money. However, one cannot use the money to buy food or drink, because he would incur this expense even if he stayed home in Chutz LaAretz. However, if his visit to Israel is just for vacation or to visit relatives, then it is not permitted to use Ma’aser money.

Question: Is there any significance or reason to praise Hashem for the existence of the State of Israel today?

RSZA: Yes. One must praise Hashem that currently the gates of Eretz Yisrael are open for every Jew. Especially after the events of the Holocaust where many Jews had not place to escape to other than Israel.

Question: RSZA was requested to attend the Bar Mitzvah of his grandson in Chutz LaAretz. The Auerbach family wanted to know if he would attend.

RSZA: No. He did not see a leniency היתר  to leave Israel, for this reason. He added, that even if he would increase Torah learning in Chutz LaAretz during his trip by giving many Shiurim and thus perform the Mitzva of Talmud Torah in public. Nonetheless, despite this perceived increase on Torah learning, it would actually cause a decrease in Torah learning. It’s especially forbidden אסור  , for Cohanim to ever leave Eretz Yisrael because of the Tumah status of Chutz LaAretz.

Question: The son of RSZA Yakov Auerbach stated that his future father in-law explained that the wedding of his son Yakov will take place in London; since the Kallah lives there. He wanted to know if RSZA would attend the wedding of his own son?

RSZA: No. He does not leave Eretz Yisrael, even for the purpose of his own son’s wedding.

For this reason the future father in-law cancelled the London wedding and it was held in Eretz Yisrael.

Question: RSZA had to undergo a complex brain operation. He was pressured to have the surgery performed in Chutz LaAretz since the Israeli Neurosurgeons were not that experienced.

RSZA: He refused to travel to Chutz LaAretz for surgery. He said, “As long as there is even one Neurosurgeon in Eretz Yisrael, he will not go to Chutz LaAretz.”

Question: Is Cohen allowed to leave Eretz Yisrael.

RSZA: No. For two reasons. One, no Jew can just leave Israel for any reason. Two, there is a specific Halacha in Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 369) that applies even today. That it’s forbidden for a Cohen to enter Chutz LaAretz. He ruled that this type of Tuma exist even today.

Question: Is the statement by Rashi in Shmuel 1 26:19, that leaving Israel to Chutz LaAretz is like serving Avoda Zara, only applicable during the time of the Beis HaMikdash?

RSZA: No. These words in Rashi, saying that this prohibition only applies when the Beis HaMikdash, is an error that was inserted for fear of the Christian censors.

From Nachalas Hashem #36, year 5777