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  1. @ David Chase:

    A lot of Jews live in Israel simply because it is an ongoing mitzvah to do so- a mitzvah you obviously can’t fulfill anywhere else.

    True and the mitvah Yishuv Eretz Yisrael includes All of those who assisted and assist and will assist in the establishment of the State and its realization and founding are, of course, participating in the observance of that mitzvah, which is weighed against all the mitzvot in the Torah.

    A famous medieval oleh (immigrant) was Rabbi Judah Halevi (1085-1142). In his philosophical treatise “The Kuzari”, written in the form of a dialogue between the pagan king of the Khazars and a Jewish sage, he criticizes his contemporaries for “talking the talk” while failing to “walk the walk”. In sections II 23-24, after a hearing a long exposition on the merits of the Holy Land, the king tells the sage:

    ” If this be so, thou fallest short of thy religious duty by not endeavoring to reach that place and make it thy abode in life and death, although thou sayest: ‘Have mercy on Zion, for it is the house of our life’ and thou believest that the Shekinah will return thither”.

    The sage replies:

    “this is a justified reproach O King of the Khazars!”

    and concludes the discussion with the claim that when people mention Zion in their prayers but do not go there:

    ” this is but as the chattering of a parrot or the chirping of a starling”.

    “And they scorned the desirable land and believed not His word.” (Psalms 106)

  2. @ Nate Patok:
    A lot of Jews live in Israel simply because it is an ongoing mitzvah to do so- a mitzvah you obviously can’t fulfill anywhere else. Have you ever even visited Israel or are you just one of those Obama Jews.

  3. I enjoyed the “Inside Israel” so did my wife.

    If you look real close you will see Divine Intervention, the children of G-d at wok, doing His will.

  7. @ Nate Patok:

    But, this “Why I Love Living In Israel” business is for the birds. Alright, so you’re happy there. Who gives a damn? Guess what? We American Jews wouldn’t move there for anything. I myself live in Fort Myers, Florida, and love it here.

    Are you Jewish Potok?

    Curious is a American Christin missionary. I seldom agree with him but he seems to have you nailed Potok from Ft. Meyers Fl.

  8. @ CuriousAmerican:
    If you have to keep being reassured how loveable you are – you have a lot of doubts. I never said that Jews aren’t charming. Many are. But, this “Why I Love Living In Israel” business is for the birds. Alright, so you’re happy there. Who gives a damn? Guess what? We American Jews wouldn’t move there for anything. I myself live in Fort Myers, Florida, and love it here.

  9. Let’s face it – a lot of ethnic groups have annoying types within them. Look at all the Yiddish words to describe annoying Jews: putz, schmuck, yutz, gonif, nebbish, schlimiel, schmendrick, vuntz, et. al. That’s what keeps a lot of Jews from ever moving to Israel.

  11. @ CuriousAmerican:
    Curious,

    I grew up among the “loveable” goiim. I am kept among them by God’s grace. Without that help, I would despair of life — and I am a Goy!