- Observing One-Day Yom Tov: No Need for Second-Day Chagim
Narrative:
For Jews living outside of Israel, Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot (the second festival day) was established due to uncertainty about the Hebrew calendar. In Eretz Yisrael, however, the holidays are observed as originally intended—one day, as prescribed by the Torah. This allows for a more authentic and spiritually focused celebration, without the added burdens of an extra day.
Biblical Source:
אלה מועדי ה‘ מקראי קודש אשר תקראו אתם במועדם
“These are the appointed festivals of Hashem, holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their proper time.”
— Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:4
Talmudic Source:
מנהג אבותינו בידינו
“The custom of our forefathers remains in our hands.”
— Beitzah 4b
This sugya explains that Yom Tov Sheni was instituted for those outside Israel who could not receive immediate word about the correct calendar date. However, in Israel, where the Sanhedrin originally sanctified the months, one-day Yom Tov remains the Torah’s standard.
- Experiencing Jewish Unity: Jews of All Backgrounds Living Together
Narrative:
In the Diaspora, Jewish communities are often separated by geography, culture, and custom. But in Israel, Jews from all over the world—Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Yemenites, Ethiopians and more—live together, pray together and build a common future. The unity of the Jewish people in their homeland is a powerful fulfillment of biblical visions of redemption.
Biblical Source:
ועשיתי אותם לגוי אחד בארץ בהרי ישראל ומלך אחד יהיה לכולם למלך ולא יהיו עוד לשני גוים ולא יחצו עוד לשתי ממלכות עוד
“I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and one king shall be king to them all. They shall no longer be two nations, and they shall never again be divided into two kingdoms.”
— Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 37:22
Talmudic Source:
לא חרבה ירושלים אלא בשביל שנאת חינם
“Jerusalem was destroyed only because of baseless hatred.”
— Yoma 9b
By making aliyah, we repair the fractures of the past and contribute to Jewish unity, paving the way for the final redemption.
Conclusion
Each of these 10 reasons—Parts I-V—for making aliyah is deeply rooted in Torah, prophecy and rabbinic teachings. Living in Eretz Yisrael is not merely a geographic relocation—it is a spiritual elevation, an embrace of Jewish destiny and a fulfillment of divine will.
Rabbi Paul Bloom lives in Jerusalem with his wife Ettie. Paul is President of the Israel Inspiration Initiative and is on the Board of the New York / Israel Chamber of Commerce. He is the CEO of PDB Futurecom International and is a retired CTO of IBM Research’s Communication Sector.
