Should All Jews Make Aliyah to Israel Now?

Summary

Rabbi YY Jacobson argues that there is no single answer to whether Jews should make aliyah now. Israel is the Jewish people’s spiritual and historical homeland, but moving there is not automatically the right choice for every individual. Jews should consider where they can best serve their community and fulfill their responsibilities. For some, that may mean moving to Israel; others may be needed where they are.

Jacobson uses Joseph’s story as a model for Jewish life in exile. Though immersed in Egypt’s political and economic life, Joseph remained spiritually grounded. Jacobson sees this as a reminder that Jews can live outside Israel without losing their identity, provided they remain connected to their faith, history, and people.

Since October 7, 2023, Jacobson says, every Jew has been drawn into a collective struggle, though not everyone serves in the same way. Supporting Israel, educating children, strengthening Jewish unity, praying, studying Torah, advocating, and providing practical assistance can all contribute. He urges people to focus their energy on constructive action rather than endless arguments with those unwilling to engage honestly.

Jacobson also calls for moral clarity and confidence in Jewish identity. In his view, Jews should not rely on others to define what is moral or continually seek approval from people who oppose them. He argues that Israel’s security matters beyond the Jewish community, while emphasizing that Jews should remain committed to goodness and the dignity of human life.

He describes Israel as more than a refuge or a place Jews may someday return to: it is inseparable from Jewish history and spiritual identity. Jews in the diaspora, he says, remain connected to Israel even if they have no personal family there. He defines home as the place one belongs without needing to justify being there, and concludes that Israel is the Jewish people’s organic and enduring home—while recognizing that some Jews may have sound reasons to remain in the diaspora.

Presenters and Contributors

• Izzy: Interviewer and host
• Rabbi YY Jacobson