Am I Allowed To Move To Israel?

(The following is a post from the blog Mystical Paths that I copied here.  Its fantastic.)
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I received the following question from a reader...

How is it that you have/are promoting aliyah if (you know?) :
The Talmud explains That we have been foresworn, by three strong oaths, not to ascend to the Holy Land as a group using force, not to rebel against the governments of countries in which we live, and not by our sins, to prolong the coming of moshiach; as is written in Tractate Kesubos 111a.

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A Spiritual and Halachic Guide to Making Aliyah

(Here is the information for a new book on the halachos of making aliyah and and below is review from Arutz Sheva)

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Oleh Chadash
The New Immigrant to Israel

A Spiritual and Halachic Guide to Making Aliyah

Rabbi Mordechai Friedfertig – former Rabbi of Kehillat Ohr Tzion in Buffalo, NY, and now spreading Ha-Rav Shlomo Aviner's Torah for Yeshivat Ateret Yerushalayim and living in Ma'ale Adumim - has authored a new book on halachot, customs and insights relating to all stages of making aliyah. "Oleh Chadash" – A Spiritual and Halachic Guide to Making Aliyah is a single, 2-sided volume (175 pages) with the full text in both English and Hebrew. Many of the halachot and insights are based upon the teachings of Ha-Rav Aviner.

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Shlock Rock: Walking In Eretz Yisrael

It Takes Less Money To Live in Israel

One of the things that really kills me, now that I’m living in Eretz Yisroel, is how much money I had in the UK, that I wasted on nonsense. We were tremendously in debt in the UK. Even though I had my own high-earning business and my husband was a lawyer, we still spent far more than we earned every month.

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Why Aliyah Is Important For You

(The following is a post from Kumah.)

Wherever you might be right now there is one thing that is certain, you are a Jew. You might be a Jew living in New York, you might be a Jew living in London, you might even be an accountant. Its even possible that you might be looking for a whole new way to identify yourself, either way no matter what, you are a Jew first and a Jew last. It is important to clarify that because by speaking of Aliyah and its importance we need to understand what being a Jew and living in Israel has to do with each other. There are many countries and regions in the world filled with all kinds of people. There is but one country promised to one people, explicitly stated by G-d, and that is the land of Israel for the Jewish people...

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One Woman's Description Of Why Her Aliyah Was Succesful

I do not, and have not regretted or questioned my decision to make Aliyah.

Even once since I opened my Tik with the Jewish Agency in October of 2006 right up until now. Not to say I haven't encountered ˜challenges". I am in my third apartment, and my 5th job.  But one can have these issues in the US, especially these days.

I firmly believe that my Aliyah has been successful because, in addition to all the great things listed on the attached document, I DECIDED that it was going to be successful. All I needed to do was work out all the details.

For anyone considering making Aliyah-while having a contingency plan in mind to address the remote possibility that you would ever return to the  US permanently, consider the following comment I made to my friends when they asked me why I would sell my house, what if I have to come back?

I knew they just didn't want me to go because they would miss me. But, as I told them, if I am making plans for what I would do if it doesn't work out, then why am I going in the first place? My Aliyah IS GOING TO WORK. Period.

And it has.

Only In Israel: Computer Program Ensures That Chametz Not Sold On Pesach

Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger Shlita explained on Wednesday that last year, realizing that unacceptable realities exist regarding the sale of chametz on Pesach, compelling him to act, and do so immediately following Pesach last year.

The Rav explained that in many cases, stores segregate chametz items in a corner, behind a curtain or sheets, and too often, shoppers will reach into that area during yomtov and take something out, which is brought to the cashier and purchased, many times without anyone noticing.

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Charedim Are Entering the Army!

Hareidi Participation in Army On the Rise

The number of hareidi-religious men in the army is on the rise: Over 1,000 in the IDF, and nearly another 1,100 in National Service.

So reports the “Freedom of Religion and Conscience” organization in its latest report. The group’s Deputy Director, Haaretz reporter Shachar Ilan, submitted the report to MK Yochanan Plesner (Kadima); Plesner chairs the Knesset supervisory committee on the implementation of the Tal Law that outlines the framework for the enlistment of hareidi men.

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Living Safely in a Non-Jewish Country Is Only Temporary

(Here is an interesting Dvar Torah that some may find inspirational for making aliyah)

The path to redemption in joy is open for every single Jew in the world. You need but get on a plane and come home to Israel, leaving the exile behind you. For sure, Jews in many countries are still living in comfort, plenty and safety. But the only guarantee we have is that one day, this will come to an end.

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Nefesh B Nefesh Is Awesome

(This is an interesting blog post that I found defending Nefesh B'Nefesh against an editorial from Michal Hirsh at Jpost).

Michael Hirsch published in The Jerusalem Post an article entitled "American Aliya - An Exercise in Futility." (The article can also be found here, at Matzav.com.) In his essay, Hirsch basically slam-dunks into the ash can the entire program of Nefesh B'Nefesh, apparently because it has not emptied the Jewish streets of America into flights headed for Israel. The article was subsequently published by the estimable Rebbetzin Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler on her "Baltimore Chug Aliyah" list (which can be sought -- and joined! -- at http://groups.yahoo.com).

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