At the recent Aguda convention, a Rabbi was asked about making Aliyah. He said that the Terumas Ha-deshen says....
That was a very selective and, I would argue, tendentious way of answering the question.
He could have quoted the pasuk רְאֵ֣ה | לִמַּ֣דְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֗ם חֻקִּים֙ וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֔ים כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוַּ֖נִי יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑י לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת כֵּ֔ן בְּקֶ֣רֶב הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם בָּאִ֥ים שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ - i.e. mitzvos were given to be observed in Israel.
He could have quoted Chazal that one who lives in Israel is as if he has a G-d whereas one who lives in Chu"l is as if he does not. He could have quoted many other maamarei Chazal בשבח ארץ ישראל ובגנות חו"ל [one famous example - mitzvos in Chu"l are only practice for when one comes to א"י and fulfills them for real].
He could have quoted the Ramban who paskened in מצוה ד that it is a Mitzva Di-oraisa to live in Israel.
He could have quoted dozens of Achronim who pasken that way.
To paraphrase the Miami Boys Choir [in a different context] - "It's not a matter of hashkafa - it's something we all have to do" [if possible].
If one cannot - he should yearn to be here and support life here b/c this is CLEARLY the ideal place for Jews to be in the Eyes of Hashem.
