Push-Pull Theory - American Aliyah - Articles about Israel

Vayetzavem el Bnei Yisrael
Ve'el Par'o Melech Mitzrayim
Lehotzi et Bnei Yisrael
Me'eretz Mitzrayim
And He commanded the children of Israel
and Pharaoh king of Egypt
to send out the children of Israel
from the land of Egypt
- Shemot, Va'era, 6:13

The push-pull theory stipulates that migrants require two forces in order to act - a push away from their current location and status quo, and a pull towards their new venue.

Push forces could include famine, war, unemployment, a lack of suitable farmland, antisemitism, a feeling that you are not progressing in life, or poverty.

Pull forces could be a greater availability of food, peace, a better economy, favorable immigration laws, a desire to return to one's homeland, religious factors, or available agricultural land in the target region or country.

However, those factors are not sufficient for us, as Jews. The quotation at the top of this page refers to the Israelites. They suffered in Egypt, but they were not ready to make Aliyah. They needed a push from the Egyptians as well as a pull towards a better life. They were not ready to make the move by themselves.

We see this in our generation. Jews living in hostile countries are not prepared to leave behind their material belongings and to set up life in a better location. They need more of a push and a pull.

Does everybody face this push and pull today? Well, yes, to some degree, but neither force may be sufficiently intense.

This is one of the disadvantages of living in our generation. Very few things are clear and understandable. We are all filled with doubts. You may have to create your own push, and your own pull.

Where do you want to go now?