Spying Out The Land
Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 86
By Shmuel Katz

It has been a couple of weeks since I had a chance to sit down and gather my thoughts. Although I could write about Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot, both of which we enjoyed for the first time in Israel (having been in America last year at those times)... This week Nefesh B’Nefesh sent an e-mail out to all of their olim with a specific request that is very time-sensitive.

This week’s parashah teaches us about the meraglim (spies) who were sent out by the Jewish people from the desert to spy the land of Israel, to reconnoiter and gather information to be used for tactical purposes in the conquest of the land. As we all know, they came back with a glowing report about the land itself and concluded their report with the very telling word, “BUT…” and dissuaded the Jews from wanting to enter the land based on the difficulties they perceived in being able to conquer and occupy it. Because of their sin, our people waited a generation before finally gaining entrance to our land.

When talking about the Katz family and our personal assent to Israel as a home, there is no question that we too have faced incredible hardships and challenges. Lest anyone err and feel dissuaded from coming to live here by hearing our story, I decided to give you the top ten reasons you should come join us in Israel—one for each of the meraglim who stood in our collective way all those years ago.

10. Medical coverage. Prescription drugs cost us around $4 each. Our HMO has three pharmacies in town, so we get (literally) the best possible pricing they can offer. This is part of the universal medical coverage that is available to every citizen and even non-citizens who pay for coverage (like we do for Chaim) at a very low cost per month. Have a fever and need to see the doctor? Just pop in; they will squeeze you in (to the chagrin of the people waiting for regular appointments). Need to see a specialist? That is around $7. The same goes for an MRI or other diagnostic scan. Did I mention that the basic premiums are covered in your payroll taxes?

Of course, there are extra premiums for more comprehensive plans (we have it) as well as additional insurance that allows for coverage for treatment out of the country for serious illnesses if desired (we are trying to get it). For very sick people, all the waiting for appointments and bureaucracy can be a challenge. But, all in all, for basic medical needs and regular day-to-day living—you can’t beat universal coverage.

9. Climate. Come to Bet Shemesh and snow will be a thing of your past. Yes, it definitely does get hot here and some days are really scorching—but the worst of the weather is usually rain or a very cold wind. Pack your sunscreen and come get a really nice tan.

8. One day of yom tov/more chol ha’moed. Hey—this one is a no-brainer. The only chance we have for a three-day yom tov is Rosh Hashanah; everything else is almost always a one-day affair. It definitely took some getting used to the first few chagim, but I cannot imagine ever going back to having two seders or Shemini Atzeret and then Simchat Torah on separate days. The only drawback in having the extra day of chol ha’moed is having to plan an additional day trip to keep the kids busy (and pay for it too). We also get to count the omer the way it is supposed to be counted, from the first night of chol ha’moed.

Another great part of yom tov is the fact that everyone is celebrating with you. Instead of the kids asking to see the X-mas light lawn displays, we walk around and admire chanukiyot (menorahs). The storekeeper will wish you chag sameach before a yom tov and you never have to figure out how many vacation days you lose because of yom tov.

7. The food courts at the malls. I know it sounds funny, but think about being able to shop in the mall and then walk into the food court and grab a nice lunch or dinner. The Malha Mall has so many kosher restaurants that we just pick a side (meat or dairy) and let the kids choose which meal from which restaurant. It isn’t just the mall. Last year Goldie and I were walking around Manhattan and could only find one kosher bagel shop within a seven-block area. Kosher food is everywhere here—especially in the supermarkets. Speaking about the supermarkets, that leads me to…

6. No price gouging for Pesach/holidays. You know what I mean. The amazing ability of all of the grocery stores to suddenly raise their prices for meats, dairy products, and just about everything else as soon as they convert to Pesach. I understand how they have to pass some of the costs of kashering for Pesach to the consumer. I also get the fact that the sheer volume of business being done here makes it cheaper per customer. But the prices here don’t rise at all for Pesach. I think some of it is because the major meat/poultry/dairy producers make sure that their products are kosher for Pesach year round. But why can’t they do that at the mall?

5. Tuition. Ha ha ha! How much do you pay for high school? I am paying something like $175 a month—and that is full tuition! We have to pay more for tutors because our kids have some catching up to do still, but even if you double it—we are still way ahead of the game. Did I mention that we are going to pay something like $400 for a full year of preschool for Moshe next year? It is less than a block away and a huge bargain.

4. Living in the land of the Tanach. Wherever we go we pass something that has a deep connection to Jewish history. Day trips are full of fascinating historical information and it is even engaging to the kids. The Israeli kids are much better versed in Tanach than their American counterparts. Why? Simple. The Tanach is in their native tongue and therefore requires much less translation and/or explanation than has to be given to an English speaking student. Our yeshiva has a requirement that students bring a Tanach with them on most tiyulim because there is so much to learn and relate to here.

3. Being a Jew in the land of the Jews. We have Birkat Kohanim every day. This year we observe shemittah. The list has no end. The simplest of mitzvot takes on extra meaning when you do it here in Israel. You also feel like you belong here, since people are all like you. You know what I mean; you feel it whenever you are here.

2. The freedom and independence the children enjoy. We had heard about it, but there is no way to truly understand what I am talking about until you are experiencing it. The children are so free and independent. They do so much on their own and for themselves. Shabbat Chevron? Chaya and her friends made their own arrangements to go. Yom Yerushalayim or Yom HaAtzma’ut celebrations in Yerushalayim? Chaim just grabbed a bus for an all-night great time. Lag BaOmer? All the kids went to their own bonfires and had a great time.

They wander the block playing with friends and we feel totally safe even though we have no idea where they are. They are also quite responsible for one another and everyone makes sure to watch over kids even when they aren’t their own.

1. Yerushalayim and other holy places. I was in a cab last week and glanced out the window and—there was the Kotel! It never ceases to amaze me how the sites holiest to us are a car/bus/taxi ride away from the house. Not a plane ride. When we feel the whim, we just head down to the Kotel for a more meaningful davening. Last Tishah B’Av, as I headed to shul for davening, a neighbor pulled up and offered me to join him forming a minyan to daven at the Kotel. How cool is that?

The sunrise minyan at the Kotel is unbelievable. As the sun rises and everyone gets to Shemoneh Esreih, a sudden silence descends upon the plaza and it is very moving. You can literally hear the birds chirp. Although I don’t go as often as I should, the fact that I can go whenever I want is one of the highlights of being here.

Also, even though we miss many simchas being here, the fact that we get to join many friends who make their simcha here at places like the Kotel or Me’arat HaMachpelah is truly astounding. These holy places are so linked to who we are and what we live for that there is no substitute for this lifestyle.


Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at [email protected].