The Mitzvah’s fulfilled upon visiting Eretz Yisrael

The Mitzvah’s fulfilled upon visiting Eretz Yisrael:

The following are a list of Mitzvos fulfilled, or which can be potentially fulfilled, upon visiting Eretz Yisrael.

1. There is a Mitzvah to walk four Amos in Eretz Yisrael, as whoever walks four Amos in Eretz Yisrael receives a portion in the world to come.[1]
2. One who visits Eretz Yisrael has the capability of fulfilling many Mitzvos that cannot be fulfilled in the Diaspora, including:[2]
   1. Shemita.
   2. Teruma Umaaser. [The Rebbe encouraged those visiting Eretz Yisrael to fulfill the mitzvah of Teruma Umaaser with a blessing.[3] This can be acheived by asking a friend in Eretz Yisrael who owns a fruit tree to give him one of his fruits in order for him to fulfill the mitzvah. It cannot be fulfilled with a blessing when buying a fruit in the market, as fruit from the market has a status of Safek Tevel, of which a blessing cannot be recited upon tithing it.]
   3. Hafrashas Challah on a similar to Biblical level.
   4. Arlah restrictions from a Biblical scriptural level.
   5. Neta Rivaiy according to all opinions.
   6. Kilei Hakerem and Kilei Zeraim restrictions.
   7. Chadash restrictions apply according to all in Eretz Yisrael.
   8. Reishis Hageiz.
   9. Aliyah Leregel:[4] Even after the destruction of the Temple, the custom was to gather from all the surrounding cities of Jerusalem and visit the Temple for the festival. This is done even today. One who visits Eretz Yisrael during any of the Shalosh Regalim has ability to fulfill this mitzvah.

The Halachic leniencies given to the Mitzvah of visiting Eretz Yisrael:

We find certain Halachic ramifications, and leniencies, associated with the Mitzvah to visit Eretz Yisrael:

1. Allowance to travel even within three days before Shabbos:[5] One who travels to Eretz Yisrael, is considered to be traveling for the sake of a Mitzvah, and may hence travel on a ship or caravan even within three days before Shabbos.

Halachic matters that one must be aware of when visiting Eretz Yisrael:

One who visits Eretz Yisrael must especially be careful to avoid transgressions and sins, and to fulfill not only the Mitzvah’s that are relevant even in the Diaspora, but also the Mitzvos relevant specifically to Eretz Yisrael [i.e. Mitzvos Hateluyos Ba’aretz]. Accordingly, prior to travel, one should study all the laws relevant to Eretz Yisrael that are not fulfilled in the Diaspora.[6] Some Poskim[7] rule that if one is unsure if he will be capable of avoiding transgression and guarding the laws relevant to Eretz Yisrael, then he is to avoid visiting it altogether.

The following are list of matters that one is to be aware of:

1. Terumos Umaasros:[8] All produce which is grown by Jews in the Halachic territory of Eretz Yisrael is obligated to be tithed. Thus, one may not purchase and eat fruits and vegetables, legumes and grains, from a random store in Israel, and rather one must verify that it contains a reliable Hashgacha. If it does not contain a Hashgacha, or does not contain a reliable Hashgacha, then one is to remove the Terumos Umaasros on his own without a blessing. The Rebbe encouraged those who visit Eretz Yisrael that they should make a point of separating Terumos and Maasros with a blessing from Tevel Vadaiy in order to merit this unique Mitzvah.[9]
2. Arla: While the three-year Arla restriction on fruits of a tree applies even in the Diaspora, in the Diaspora one may be lenient in a case of doubt and hence it is permitted for one to purchase fruit in the Diaspora it from any random store, even if it does not contain a Hashgacha, and one has not verified its Arla status. However, in Eretz Yisrael, Safeik Arla is forbidden, and hence one may not purchase fruits [especially fruits with high Arla percentage] from a random store unless it contains a reliable Hashgacha which verifies that the stores produce is clean of any Arla fruits
3. Meiyn Gimel:[10] In the Diaspora, one who eats fruits of the seven Minim [i.e. dates, figs, pomegranates, olives, grapes] concludes the blessing with the words “Al Ha’aretz Veal Hapeiros.” However, in Eretz Yisrael, one concludes the blessing with the words “Al Ha’aretz Veal Peiroseha,” [and on wine, Al Peri Gafnah]. See here for the full details of this law: https://shulchanaruchharav.com/?s=peiroseha&ht-kb-search=1&lang=
4. Keria upon seeing old city Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount:[11] One who sees the old city of Jerusalem in its destroyed state, or sees the Temple Mount, is required to perform Keria to his shirt. One is to tear it one Tefach and is never to properly resew it. Some Poskim[12] rule one is to recite the blessing of Baruch Dayan Haemes without Hashem’s name upon seeing the above areas and performing the Keriah. [When the Rebbe Rayatz visited Yerushalyim he performed Keriah, and recited the blessing of Baruch Dayan Haemes without Hashem’s name.[13]] See here for the full details of this law: https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/visiting-the-temple-area-keria-temple-mount-western-wall-aliya-liregel/
5. The blessings and verses to be said upon seeing the various places in Jerusalem: One who sees the Temple Mount [the area of the Dome of the Rock[14]] is to say “Beis Kadsheinu Vesifarteinu Asher Haleuch Bah Avoseinu Haysa Lesreifas Eish Vechaol Machaneinu Haysa Lecharva”.[15] One is then to perform Keriah. One who sees [the old city of[16]] Jerusalem from close proximity[17] in a destructive state, is to say “Tziyon Haysa Midbar Shemama” and perform Keriah.[18] This applies from the area of Mount Scopus [Har Hatzofim] and onwards.[19]
6. Visiting the Temple Mount: Gedolei Yisrael from all spectrums of Jewry prohibit visitation to the Temple Mount, including to those areas which have been determined to not be part of the Halachic Har Habayis and are not restricted in entry. See here for the full details of this law: https://shulchanaruchharav.com/halacha/visiting-the-temple-area-keria-temple-mount-western-wall-aliya-liregel/
7. Not to stay for more than 30 days: It is forbidden for one who lives in Eretz Yisrael to leave it without justifiable reason.[20] Accordingly, one who stays for 30 consecutive days in Eretz Yisrael enters into the Halachic question as to whether he is allowed to now leave Eretz Yisrael, and as to whether under what circumstances his leaving is permitted.[21] Thus, the Rebbe discouraged people from remaining 30 consecutive days in Eretz Yisrael[22], and those who are forced to do so should visit Eilat in the interim, before the passing of 30 consecutive days.[23] [Vetzaruch Iyun based on these directives, as to the basis of boys who come to Yeshiva, and girls who come to seminary for the year in Eretz Yisrael, and are not careful in the above. However, seemingly, the reason is due to Bittul Torah.]

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[1] Admur 248:13; Rambam Melachim 5:11; Kesubos 111a; M”A 248:15; Rivash 17-18; Kneses Hagedola 248

[2] See Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 2 Erech Eretz Yisrael p. 218

[3] Igros Kodesh 15:452

[4] Admur 117:1 in parentheses; Levush 117:1; Ran Taanis 2a; Midrash Shir Hashirim 4:2 “Just as a dove returns to visit its destroyed nest, so too the Jewish people visit the Temple during Shalosh Regalim even after the destruction; Sefer Chassidim 630 “Rav Haiy Gaon would travel to Yerushalayim from Bavel to be there for Sukkos”; Kaftor Vaferach 6 “We are accustomed together with the lands of Syria, and Egypt to visit the Yerushalyim by the Moadim”; Maharit 1:134; Maharitz Chayos on Nedarim 23a; Tashbatz 3:201; Maharalbach; Yaavetz 1:87; Chasam Sofer Hesped after Parshas Emor “It is a Mitzvah to visit Lalos Liregel even today”; Chasam Sofer Y.D. 233; Avos Harosh 1:117; Sdei Chemed Mareches Eretz Yisrael 1; Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:122; Piskeiy Teshuvos 529:13; Yechaveh Daas 1/25 “Certainly there is a Mitzvah also today”; Or Letziyon 3:24-12

[5] See Michaber and Admur Chapter 248

[6] Sichas Gimel Tamuz 5716 p. 290

[7] Tashbeitz Katan 559; Rebbe Chaim in Tosafus Kesubos 110; Igros Moshe E.H. 3 102

[8] See Shulchan Aruch Y.D. Chapter 331 for all details relating to this law

[9] Igros Kodesh 15:452

[10] Admur Seder Birchas Hanehnin 1:12 [omitted from Luach and from Admur in Siddur]; Michaber 208:10; Brachos 44a; Ketzos Hashulchan 60:2; Ben Ish Chaiy Maasei 1:1; See Igros Kodesh 15:439, printed in Shulchan Menachem 1:338; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:15

The reason this ruling of Admur is omitted in his Siddur: Some suggest that the reason Admur omitted the above Nussach from his Siddur is because his Siddur mainly focuses on the customs of the Diaspora, and omits laws relevant to Eretz Yisrael [as is seen regarding the Musaf for Yom Tov prayer], and hence no negation or retraction from the above ruling can be derived from the omission. [See Igros Kodesh 15:439 for a similar point regarding that no inference can be made from Admur’s omission here of Al Michyasa and Peri Gafna; Rav Avraham Elyashvili in Seder footnote 96]

[11] Michaber 561:1-5; Moed Katan 26

[12] Bach 561 regarding Mikdash; M”B 5616; Kaf Hachaim 561:5

[13] Masa Harebbe Lieretz Hakodesh 7; See Hiskashrus 262

[14] Bach 561; Peas Hashulchan 3:2; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 561 footnote 9 that some say one is to see the floor of the Azara.

[15] Michaber 561:2; Moed Katan ibid

[16] Sefer Eretz Yisrael [Tukichinsky] 22:2

[17] Rama 561:1

[18] Michaber 561:2

[19] Michaber ibid and Rama 561:1

[20] See Michaber 511:6 and M”B 511:14; Rambam Melachim 5:9; Kesubos 11a; Avoda Zara 13a; Kiddushin 31b; Likkutei Sichos 15/202 footnote 15; 18:399; 25:151; Shulchan Menachem 7:147-148

[21] See Sichos Kodesh 5716 34, 2^nd day of Chag Shavuos p. 276; Sichas night of Gimel Tamuz p. 290; Igros Kodesh 18:404; Gilyon Kefar Chabad 93 p. 12; 867

Source behind thirty days: See regarding the definition of a Toshav regarding Tzedaka that it is defined as thirty days: Admur 429:5; Michaber Y.D. 256:5; Bava Basra 8a; Rambam Matanos Aniyim 9:12; Rashba 667

[22] See Igros Kodesh 18:404; Sichas Gimel Tamuz 5716 p. 290 that the Rebbe instructed his emissaries which he sent to visit Eretz Yisrael that they should stay for less than 30 days in order not to enter into the Halachic questions of whether they may then leave Eretz Yisrael if they stay for longer.

[23] Kefar Chabad 93 p. 12; 867