Reply To: DO WE REALLY HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE TO LIVE IN CHUTZ LA'ARETZ?

Health, on the contrary, in Shmutz l’Aretz Jews commit “avoda zara in purity” (Avoda Zara 8a). They refrain from work on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, look forward to Sun, etc. There is even a discussion regarding celebrating a recent night whose observances originate in paganism. Moreover, as I have previously posted, the crime rate in America is much higher – and the recent attacks in Paris have shown that no place in the world is a haven from terror. Heath care is on a lower level (the WHO has ranked Israel’s health care system as number 28 in the world whereas the US system is number 37). In short, the mitzva is better kept in Israel from all perspectives.