Igros Moshe (E.H. I #102) Question: Is there is a mitzvah to make aliyah today like the Ramban or is the halacha like Tosfos that there is no mitzva today? Answer The majority of poskim rule that it is still a mitzva. However it is not an absolutely obligatory mitzva on everyone because that would mean it is prohibited to live outside of Israel. It is similar to the mitzva of tzitzis. It is prohibited to wear a four corner garment without tziizis but there is no Torah command to wear a four cornered garment. . The mitzva is directed to those who live in Israel that it is prohibited to leave and settle outside of Israel. Rather it means it is a fulfillment of a mitzva when a person lives in Israel . This mitzvah is “kiyumis” not “chiyuvis”. In other words there is no obligation to do it but if you do it it is a meritorious act for which you receive reward
Igros Moshe (YD III #122) Question: Is there is a mitzvah to make aliyah today like the Ramban or his the halacha like Tosfos that there is no mitzva today? Answer I want to clarify what I have written previously concerning living in Israel. I am not saying it is only a Rabbinic decree to live in Israel today. There is no reason that such a rabbinic decree should be made since we are widely dispersed around the world in exile. Consequently it is impossible for most Jews to fulfill it. It is well known that for many years after the period of Tanaim that very few people lived in Israel and never reached a level more than one out of a thousand. It is only in modern times after the main settlement of Jews was destroyed by the Nazis and the persecution by those haters of religion in Russia that a significant population developed in Israel. So even if someone wants to claim there was a rabbinic decree it would be meaningless since it obviously was never accepted by most Jews or even a significant minority. Therefore there is only a Torah mitzva and no rabbinic one. But it is possible to at least say it is an important and desirable thing
> because that would mean it is prohibited to live outside of Israel.
ReplyDeleteThe Gemara makes multiple negative comments about Jews who choose to live outside Israel when living in Israel is an option. Do they not apply today? And his tzitzi argument begs further questions. Yes of course I have no obligation to own a four cornered garment in the first place but would one ever suspect that Rav Moshe, zt"l, ever went anywhere without tzitzis on, even though it's technically optional? Why are tzitzis more important than Israel?