Does Halacha require a person to move to Israel?

Recently, especially in light of current events, many people have been asking if Halacha (religious law) requires a person to move to Israel. With G-d's help, here is the essence of what our sages have to say on the subject:

Rabbi Elazar Azkari, famed 17th Century understudy of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi and author of the monumental Sefer Charedim, rules - like the Ramban - that dwelling in the Land of Israel is a direct Torah commandment (asseh d'oraissa). The "Charedim" writes that this mitzva is one of the most cherished commandments of Torah, so much so that a person reaps merit for every second that he or she dwells in the Land of Israel. Therefore, those who are fortunate enough to live in Land of Israel must rejoice at their good fortune.

The "Charedim" warns that living in Israel is very obligating, and one must thank Hashem daily for the privilege of being here. He adds that one must make painstaking effort to fulfill all of Hashem's commandments in the Land of Israel, and strive to be much more observant and G-d-fearing than he or she was while living outside of the Land of Israel, because Israel is the King's palace. He ends his discourse on the mitzva of living in Israel by saying that those who come to the Land of Israel, yet willfully sin by not observing all of the Torah's commandments, are condemned by the prophet, who says in the name of Hashem (Jeremiah 2:7), "And you came and defiled My land, and made an abomination of My inheritance." Also (Isaiah 1:12), "You come to see My face; who asked you to come, the tramplers of My courtyard." The "Charedim" also warns that willful sinners will be chased out of Israel after their deaths, and won't be allowed to lie in eternal rest in the Holy Land. Consequently, he poskins (rules) that a person must be totally G-d fearing and aware that he or she will be residing in the King's palace before they come to the Land of Israel.

The Gemorra in tractate Ketuvot (111a) states in the name of the holy Tanna Rebbe Elazar, that a person who lives in Israel receives special protection against sin. The Rambam rules accordingly(Hilchos Melachim, ch. 5), that anyone who comes to live in Israel is completely forgiven of his or her sins, and anyone who takes four steps in the Land of Israel immediately merits a portion of the World to Come.

While elaborating on the above-cited Gemorra in Ketuvot, the "Pnai Yehoshua" (Rabbi Yaacov Yehoshua of Frankfurt, famed 18th C. Talmudic scholar and lawgiver) writes that the benefits promised in the Gemorra for dwelling in Israel apply only to those with the intent of living here in order to fulfill G-d's laws and to respect the sanctity of the land. If this is the case, then the Land of Israel itself will protect a person from sinning; even if a person has a mishap and does sin accidentally, the sanctity of the land will help the person atone and cleanse his or her soul. But, continues the "Pnai Yehoshua", if a person scorns the commandments of Torah and the sanctity of the land, then the blessings of Israel become a curse on that person's head, as warned by the prophets.

A contemporary scholar, Rabbi Pinchas Lieberman of blessed memory who died recently, wrote in his book "Tov Hapninim" in the name of "Eved Hamelech" that a person who lives outside of Israel must look forward to the very moment when Hashem will help him or her to leave the impurity of foreign soil and come to the holiness of the Land of Israel, especially since Israel is each Jew's personal inheritence from G-d.

In light of the above, how must one act practically? My esteemed teacher, The Melitzer Rebbe shlit'a, says that a person must fulfill the following conditions before moving to Israel:

Avrechim (Married Torah students): You must gain prior acceptance to a Kollel, have your own flat or a cheap rented flat, and either an anticipated side income or a place of employment for your wife. You must also prearrange proper schools for your children.

Professionals and trades people: You should have a guaranteed place of employment, a flat, and proper schools for your children.

Unmarried yeshiva students: If you've been accepted to an Israeli Yeshiva, and you want to ascend in Torah and yir'as shamayim, welcome! This is the right place for you, says the Rebbe.

The above are only practical guidelines. The Melitzer Rebbe stresses that indiscriminate calls for people to move immediately to Israel are irresponsible, and that it's no mitzva to bring a person here and make him or her suffer. On the other hand, a person is required to forever strive to move here, and should make longterm plans to do so.

On the short term, the Melitzer says that each case has its own merits, and each person should carefully consider his or her individual situation with their local rov.

Conclusion: One must strive to reach the Land of Israel and merit living here, but without proper spiritual preparation and practical means, one might do more harm than good. In the Melitzer Rebbe's words, "Israel is the safest place in the world for observant Jews, and the most dangerous place in the world for those who defile Hashem's laws."

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev said, "My place is only in Israel." He instructed his disciples to pray, yearn, and try their very best to merit settling in the Land of Israel, saying that they who dwell in Israel bring a victory for Holiness (Seder Hayom, clause 27).