In shul yesterday I overheard someone relating that he was in חו"ל for a week and a half visiting his daughter. I have questions for him that I didn't ask [b/c it is not polite:-)].
The Rambam [הלכות מלכים ה-ט] writes אסור לצאת מארץ ישראל לחוצה לארץ לעולם אלא ללמוד תורה או לישא אשה או להציל מן העכו"ם ויחזור לארץ וכן יוצא הוא לסחורה - Is visiting your daughter "learning Torah, getting married, saving from idolators or parnassa"?? Otherwise, it is ASSUR to leave. Some say that for other mitzvos one is allowed to leave. Is there mitzva of כיבוד הבת? Shouldn't SHE be visiting YOU?? [What is she doing there at all?? She was raised here?? And married children - VISIT YOUR PARENTS FREQUENTLY!!!] Did you even THINK of this Rambam? Does it bother you?? Did a posek give you a היתר?? The problem is that the Rav of this person's shul is vacationing in ... חו"ל.
Maybe a bit harsh but the point I am making is that the איסור of leaving EY is not part of the conversation. People are EXCIIITED to go to חו"ל.
In the Torah, going to חו"ל is the WORST punishment for sins - not a prize.
א"י is a gift from Hashem given with love for our benefit. If I gave a gift to my child for his good and he rejected it - I would be offended...
And the $1.5k he spent on the flight could have been used .... to feed a poor family:-)!!!
Limmud Zchus: He asked a Rav, received a היתר and I don't know his circumstances so I should mind my own business!!
So there:-)!!
