Should we try to convince people to make aliya?

A few weeks ago, I spoke on a panel about aliya (immigrating to Israel). One of the questions was if someone should make aliya even if they don’t feel like they love living in Israel.

I suggested that they should spend more time in Israel and then see from there. If you are not passionate about living in Israel, it is very difficult to make aliya. If you don’t have friends or family, you will be on your own at the beginning. Dealing with going into the army is not easy for anyone. Even if your Hebrew is good, it will be inferior to that of the native Israelis. Navigating the university system or finding a job and place to live will also be challenges. On top of that, there is all of the bureaucracy that must be handled such as setting up healthcare, opening a bank account, transferring over your driver’s license (if you have one) or taking driving lessons and dealing with employment and apartment contracts. All of these issues can be overcome if someone is yearning to make Israel their home but can become stumbling blocks for someone who isn’t 100% devoted to the idea of living in Israel.

Aliya is a step that should be taken once someone is sure that it is the right time for them. One who isn’t sure can continue to make trips to Israel, study, volunteer and take their time deciding unless they are living in a place that they must leave due to danger.

In Parshat Behaalotcha (Bamidbar 10:29-32), Moshe invites Chovav (Yitro), his father in law to make aliya with B’nai Yisrael. Moshe believes that he too will be going to the Land of Israel and is of course very excited about moving there:

Moshe said to Chovav the son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moshe’s father in law: “We are journeying to the place about which God said: ‘I will give it to you,’ come along with us and we will treat you well, for God spoke of bringing good fortune on Israel.” He (Yitro) said to him “I will not go, but rather to my land and to my birthplace I will go.” He (Moshe) said to him “please do not forsake us, for, because you know of our encampment in the desert, and you will be our eyes. It will be that when you go with us, it shall be that the very good which God will bestow on us we will bestow on (share with) you.”

Sforno points out that as an older person, Yitro was afraid that moving to a new land and climate would make it difficult for him to adjust to the air and the food which could have a negative impact on his health.

According to Rashi, who is quoting the Sifrei, Yitro wants to return home to Midian either for the sake of his property or for the sake of his family.

Rav Avraham M’Prag explains that Yitro didn’t want to move back to Midian. Rather, he wanted to go back home temporarily in order to sell his property and convert his family.

The Gur Aryeh comments that we see in Shoftim 1:16 that Yitro (or at least his children) ultimately did settle in the Land of Israel:

And the children of Keni, Moshe’s father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Yehuda into the wilderness of Yehuda which lies in the south of Arad and they went and dwelt among the people.

Those thinking about aliya need to take a step back as Yitro did. Do you have health issues that can be taken care of in Israel? Which climate do you want to live in which will not be too drastically different from what they are used to? Do you want to adapt to Israeli cuisine or will you want to cook food or buy food like you ate in the old country (which can often be more expensive)? Can you settle your finances before you come so that you have money to live on before you find employment? Will your family members want to join you?

Once these questions are answered, one can decide if it is the right time or not. If you are not yet ready, you can make a plan of how long it will take to put everything into place.

Aliya is not an easy process, even with the help of organizations which can make it go more smoothly. Just as one shouldn’t jump into getting married, one should take their time with planning their aliya to make sure that it is as successful as possible.