The Call - "Lech Lecha" - Is For Every Jew

9 Marcheshvan 5782 
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Lech Lecha

(Reposting from 2010)

The Kumah organization which promotes aliyah to Eretz Yisrael has made available free on their website an English translation of "a short and little-known book by kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai Atiyah." It's called "Lech Lecha" and it "expounds on the tremendous merit of making Aliyah – and the misfortune of those who will not."

You can download a copy of the booklet here. Following are some excerpts:

"...those who dilly-dally and refrain from coming to the Land, and explain that they are waiting for the Messiah, are making a basic error. For one who believes in the Messiah and truly awaits him must do so in the Land of Israel. This is just like one who waits for a king must get there a few hours early in order to get a good spot, and to show honor to the king by waiting for him; he should not wait in his own house, causing the king to arrive first and have to wait for people to show up."

"...Whoever confidently views himself as a citizen of a foreign country is living in error, misleading himself and others, and bringing evil upon himself and his descendants. Come and see what the Gaon Yaavetz wrote in his commentary on the Siddur:

'...And do not think of ever settling outside the Land, G-d forbid. For this was the sin of our forefathers that led to a 'weeping for generations' - the sin of rebuffing the Land. It was this sin that caused us such suffering throughout the generations, with nary an opportunity to live in serenity.' "

"...those pious people who fear the word of G-d and are careful in the performance of His commandments, must understand that learning Torah outside the Land strengthens our enemies and those who wish us harm. On the other hand, learning Torah here in the Land of Israel strengthens the forces of sanctity and the Divine Presence,...."

REMINDER:  Please note that motzaei Shabbat is 11 Marcheshvan - the yahrtzeit of Rachel Imeinu.  

~ Shabbat Shalom! ~