At this time, one may not force a spouse or family to go on aliyah, because of the dangerous way for a man’s wife and children. However, if the man goes alone for trade or to fulfill a mitzvah, there is no danger even if accompanied by the family! In our day, when the two great powers of Edom [Christian Europe] and Ishmael [Islamic Arabs ] are at peace with each other, there is not very much danger. Periods of time exist during the years when you can travel to Eretz Yisrael from great distances. You may find people making a voyage to the Land from Italy , Germany , and France by way of the Turkish Ottoman Empire and from there to the Land of Israel. They go there even for trade, which is not obligatory, as well as for the mandatory mitzvah of aliyah. Even though bandits are occasionally on the roads, travelers, on the whole, arrive safely.”
Of course. Moses di Trani lived at a time removed from that of R. Haim and others who were disquieted by the dangers of traveling to and living in the Holy Land. Indeed, as we have seen,*' his evaluation of the reality of the situation was influenced by the personal experience of having lived most of his life in Safed . He traveled abroad and received a number of visitors. Yes, there was some danger on the way, but in those days almost all travel abroad, even to a nearby destination, was hazardous. If Jews could travel to Palestine for trade and profit, how much the more could they and their families go on aliyah. Above and beyond all other considerations was the supreme importance of the commandment to go up and dwell in the
Holy Land.
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