The Biblical portion of Shlach describes the Jewish spies who visited Israel, while their families remained in the Sinai desert.
Many people had good reasons not to live in Israel. Perhaps, deep down, some of them thought of the specious answer that it would be bad to have all the Jews in one place where they could be nuked.
These Jews don't trust G-d's personal oath that the Jewish nation would not be destroyed. They are afraid to come to Israel. They would prefer to trust their fate to Diaspora antisemites, or to the questionable flesh-and-blood security that protects the Twin Towers, the Oklahoma Federal Building, or a doomed French, Turkish, or Brazilian synagogue.
Parashat Shlach gives reasons for living in Israel, including the fact that it is "Tova Haaretz" a good land. Some intelligent Jews will live in Israel for other reasons, including the fact that it is a fulfillment of their faith.
On the other hand, Israel is a difficult country in which to live. Our tradition states that Israel is acquired by Yissurim - difficult troubles bordering on torture. Those choose to live here obviously believe that these Yissurim are worth the effort.
Others are likely to have legitimate reasons for staying abroad. Israel is not for everybody.
Read more about why Israel is not for everybody
Read about Israeli forums
Read about the Olim forum
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Keywords: Fear, Jewish
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