Rabbis in the galut have duty to preach aliyah

Choni Davidowitz

I would like to ask the rabbi the following question: The number of Torah observant Jews in the galut are estimated to be a little over one million. There is Torah learning and mitzvot observance. There are many rabbis, roshei yeshiva, chassidi rabbis, teachers and daf hayomi learners.

They all believe in Hashem and His Torah as the absolute universal truth. My question is: By remaining in the galut when the gates of the Holy Land have been opened for the past 67 years, after 2 000 years of non-Jewish rule, inviting you to return, are you not showing a lack of faith/trust in Hashem?

At this time, when there are close to seven million Jews in Eretz Yisrael, do you still question the fact that we are in the process of the final redemption? 

Where is the one eminent rabbi in the galut who will call out to his community to trust and have faith in Hashem and leave the galut behind and return home? To my mind, rabbis who remain in the galut and fail to encourage the young people in their communities to make aliyah are acknowledging doubt in the legitimacy of the words of our prophets that Hashem will return us to the Holy Land.

Chabad, and other observant groups have done much to strengthen Judaism in the galut. Is it not time to complete this task by encouraging as many young Jews to follow up and bring their knowledge and talents to their own Land?

The Judaism of Eretz Yisrael is to be our true goal. Salvation from the Diaspora will in turn bring Torah life to where it belongs  – Eretz Yisrael.

 Golden Acre, Johannesburg