Aliyah: Fact & Fiction

How does one "make Aliyah?"

Scripture describes travel to the Holy Land from elsewhere as "aliyah," ascent (and the reverse as descent).*

In Jewish vernacular, "aliyah" connotes not just travel, but a return to our Holy Land by making it one's primary residence.

Fair enough. This definition has merit too. Mere travel to the Land of Israel is a temporary ascent, while moving there is a permanent one.

However, in recent decades, a foreign definition has crept in that has no basis in Torah. That is the notion that "aliyah" implies becoming a citizen of the state called Israel.

There is no "ascent" or religious significance inherent in assuming citizenship of any modern-day state, not even a nominally-Jewish state that has established dominion over (parts of) the Land of Israel.  This concept has no precedent or source in Scripture or any of our holy writings. It's a subversion of our faith.

It's an ascent to move to Hebron, Jericho, or Shomron, irrespective of whether it's under Israeli sovereignty. It's an ascent to move to Jerusalem, with or without assuming Israeli citizenship. It's NOT an ascent to move to Eilat.**

It's an ascent when moving to Tel Aviv because it's on holy land, G-d's Land, not because it's a place that boasts of human achievement, Jewish or otherwise.

More than a geographical descriptor, "aliyah" is a mindset.

It doesn't matter which passport, visa, airline, or sea vessel, etc., you used to arrive there. It doesn't matter what your political status is. It makes no difference whether secular states acknowledge your right to live in the Holy Land. If you've arrived there, you've ascended.

Be uplifted. Elevate yourself by coming closer to G-d. After all, you're in His Holy Land. The Land He promised to your ancestors and granted to you.

When you're ascending to the Land of Israel, live up to your name Israel.

And if for whatever reason you're elsewhere and haven't ascended yet, transform your current location into a Land of Israel ("Mach doh Eretz Yisroel" in Yiddish). Live proudly as a son or daughter of Israel, keeping G-d's commandments unabashedly. Be an uplifted person. Uplift your surroundings. Turn it into an uplifted place where G-d's Law is celebrated and holiness is revered. Make it a place that uplifts its inhabitants.

By doing so, you'll be hastening the ultimate aliyah, the true and complete Redemption. May it be speedily in our days. Amen.

* For example: Genesis 45:9
** Eilat isn't located within the boundaries of the Holy Land as described by scripture