I would like to return the conversation to the original question and share a thought with the readership. I ask that my words be reflected upon even if it is not the popular way of thinking. I also ask that this not turn into a bashing/defense of the State of Israel. To be sure, the presentation is certainly תלוי באשלי רברבי, but please listen to the words themselves and see if they resonate with you after some time. This is being written in the midst of the Corona pandemic which served as an impetus to crystallize these thoughts in my mind. ד’ ישלח ישועות לכל בנ”י בקרוב!
The Gemara in Megilla (17b) states in explaining the order of the brachos of Shemone Esrei that the second step in the Geula process is Kibbutz Galuyos as alluded to by the blessing of תקע בשופר, the first is the blossoming of the trees on the mountains on Eretz Yisrael alluded to by ברך עלינו. Only later, after more intermediate steps, comes the arrival of Mashiach. The Beis HaMikdash is built either before or after Mashiach comes. (See Rashi (carefully) vs. Maharsha on that Gemara.) Perhaps one of the עיכובים of Mashiach’s coming, is the fact that the majority of Jewry has not taken up the call of Kibutz Galuyos. (See עיון תפילה in the סידור אוצר התפילות who takes it for granted that one cannot meaningfully daven for Kibutz Galuyos and simultaneously not seek the opportunity to move to Eretz Yisrael – I add : at least minimally to investigate if it can be feasible.) To be sure, as many Rabbanim have pointed out, one must be careful in making Aliya to provide for a proper environment for his family and proper educational frameworks for children. But it would appear to me that not enough are seriously considering this important opportunity which Hashem HaTov has provided for us and to are too quick to dismiss it either based on apathy or problems they’ve heard of without investigation if they can be overcome. Making a decision based on כאן נמצא כאן היה when there are indications that Hashem’s will might just be otherwise is never advisable.
Such a move requires great motivation: to uproot one’s family, environment, cultural framework and daily habits. I humbly recommend to read “To Dwell in the Palace” available here: link removed and/or “A Drop in the Ocean” by Rav Moshe Lichtman to awaken the love of Eretz Yisrael. These hopefully will provide the inspiration to start one’s journey which hopefully will result in transplantation of more families to the Holy Land which hopefully, in addition to Klal Yisrael’s fulfilling more fully the mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael, will bring the redemption closer.