A Soulful Journey

Moshe, a new member of the shul, was asked to do hagbah. It was awful, a pitiful sight. He could barely lift the sefer Torah; he almost dropped it and, clutching it shakily, sat down very quickly. He was very embarrassed so he made a resolution to go to the gym and work out. For the next few months, he lifted weights and did push-ups, sit ups, and pull ups. He got himself buff and ready. Simchat Torah came and Moshe was all set. He went to shul, all excited and ready to be called. Of course, during Hallel, when the drinks were passed round, he indulged. Then it happened! He heard the gabbai call his name so he rushed up to the bimah, grabbed the sefer Torah, lifted it, and, arms wide, opened up at least ten columns—the hardest Hagbah of the year! He swung the Torah to the left and then to the right, according to the halakhah, so everyone could see the text. He felt very proud of his perfect hagbah. Turning to the ga...

A Russian Jew applied for a visa to emigrate to Israel. He mailed in the forms and later was interviewed by the KGB. The official drew his attention to the reply had given to the question, “Do you have any relatives abroad?” The Russian Jew had answered, “No.” However, it was well known that he had a brother in Israel. “Ah,” he replied, “My brother is at home. It is I who am abroad.”

When Medlevitch returned from his sentence in Russia of twelve years in prison for attempting to hijack a plane to Israel, he spoke in London.  However, he refused to come and just relate his experiences.  He first insisted that there be an opportunity for him to convince young people to make aliya .  He said: "You give money and hard work but it is not enough.  You must be ready to sacrifice everything for Eretz Yisrael ."

A couple was seated for Shabbat dinner with their two and one half year old daughter. They were recently from Russia but were swiftly learning Hebrew. “What is the little girl’s name?” “Ahh,” they said, “She has the prettiest name in the world, a most beautiful name.” “And what is it?” “Aliya,” they answered with pride radiating from their eyes.   “We have given her then name Aliya because that has been our most heartfelt desire.”

Years ago when Soviet Jews were desperate to leave the Soviet Union a Russian Jew applied for a visa to emigrate to Israel.   He mailed in the forms and was later interviewed by the KGB.   The official asked, “Do you have any relatives abroad?”   The Russian Jew answered, “No.”   However it was known that the Jew had a brother that lived in Israel.   “Ah,” he replied.   “My brother is at home.   It is I who am abroad.”

Everyone is under the obligation to live in Israel.  For example, if a husband wants to make aliya and his wife does not, she may be compelled.  And if she continues to refuse she may forfeit her ketuba . If she wishes to make aliya and he refuses, he may be compelled.  If he continues to refuse he will be forced to pay her ketuba. The same is true of leaving the land.   -Ketubot 110 The hoy land is indeed holy and we are soulfully bound to it.