In Devarim, perek 4, Moshe Rabbeinu warns us that we face exile from our beloved land if we betray Hashem and His Torah. He even predicts (pasuk 27) that we will worship avodah zara in Chutz La’Aretz. (Does this shocking prediction materialize? Did we serve avodah zara in the exile? The problem becomes more acute in light of Hashem eliminating the yetzer hara for avodah zara at the request of the Anshei Knesset Hagedolah, during the early days of Bayit Sheini (Yoma 69b). Thus, the prediction of idolatry seemingly did not materialize in the post-churban Bayit Sheini exile.
Let us present three classic answers and suggest a new response:
Answer No. 1: Rashi and Onkelos
Rashi cites Targum Onkelos, who explains the prediction that we shall worship wooden and stone gods in Exile to mean that we will serve people who worship these false deities. In other words, the pasuk relays that we will indirectly worship avodah zara.
In practice, when Jews in galut develop the host country’s economy and pay taxes, the local idolaters will use the revenue we generated to support their errant worship. Thus, in Chutz La’Aretz, we indirectly serve false gods since we fund the furtherance of idolatry.
The Torah presents an ironic outcome of choosing to worship avodah zara pre-exile. If we voluntarily serve false gods while living in Eretz Yisrael, the result will be exile, where circumstances force us to serve foreign entities.
Answer No. 2: Ramban
The Ramban explains the prediction based on the Gemara’s dramatic statement, “Living in Chutz La’Aretz is equivalent to serving avodah zara,” (Ketubot 110b). While this idea may refer to our indirect financial support of avodah zara, there are additional explanations. While living in Chutz La’Aretz, one experiences the atmosphere of the non-Jewish holidays. Many who have made aliyah say that one of their favorite aspects of Eretz Yisrael is the atmosphere revolving around the Jewish holidays. Purim and Chanukah are experienced on a national level, and many buses even display the daily omer count between Pesach and Shavuot!
In addition, in Eretz Yisrael, we feel Hashem’s intense presence. Devarim 11:12 describes Eretz Yisrael as a land that Hashem seeks, and His eyes are constantly upon it—from the beginning of the year until its end. Yet, in Chutz La’Aretz, we are detached from this nourishing and enriching divine presence. No wonder why so many Jews feel depressed when leaving Israel.
Answer No. 3: Abarbanel
In dramatic contrast, Abarbanel—based on his experiences during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions—understands the prediction of forced idol worship quite literally. Sadly, many Jews in the Iberian Peninsula succumbed to the enormous pressure to convert to Catholicism. Abarbanel believes the pasuk refers to this type of event that frequently happened in our very often turbulent exile.
A New Explanation
Considering Abarbanel’s approach, we suggest understanding our pasuk in light of Jewish experiences in the past two centuries. Tragically, we have witnessed a tidal wave of assimilation these past 200 years. After a few generations of not observing the Torah, intermarriage is rampant and Jewish identity is eviscerated. Succeeding generations worship foreign gods in perpetuity. Thus, the prediction of Devarim 4:27 has been fulfilled in our times by a painfully large number of Jews. Interestingly, the next pasuk describes that we will seek out Hashem and return to Him. Most fortunately, alongside the terrible tide of assimilation into the broader idolatrous culture, we have seen large waves of Jews returning to their roots and a resurgence of strong Orthodox communities in Eretz Yisrael and the exile.
Conclusion: Stronger Torah Life in Israel
On the other hand, Jews living in Eretz Yisrael are—on the whole—more observant than their brethren in Chutz La’Aretz. Even today, studies show that Israeli Jews are much more religious than their American Jewish counterparts. For example, recent Pew studies show that 22% of Israeli Jewish adults are Orthodox, compared with 10% of American Jews. In addition, nearly two-thirds of Israeli Jews say they keep kosher at home, compared with about a quarter of Jewish Americans ((https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/03/08/comparisons-between-jews-in-israel-and-the-u-s/).
It is clear from the Chumash and contemporary sociological research that a Jew is at a much higher spiritual risk in Chutz La’Aretz than in Eretz Yisrael (though those living in Israel must act wisely to maintain the tradition). May we merit continuing to see a rise in the quantity and quality of Torah observance worldwide—especially in Eretz Yisrael—on an individual and communal level.
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
