Living in a Torah Environment
Question: Real estate prices in frum (observant) neighborhoods have skyrocketed. I am considering moving to another area; whereas it’s not a frum environment, it’s certainly cheaper. What does halachah have to say about living outside the frum community?
Answer: According to halachah it is crucial for a person to live in a Torah environment. Furthermore, it’s written in Pirkei Avos, “Hevei goleh l’makom Torah” (Leave your place of residence and go into exile in order to live in a Torah environment). The Rambam brings it as a halachah that it is important for a person to live in a religious environment; “Harcheik mishachein ra” (Distance yourself from a bad neighbor) lest you learn to emulate their behavior. He writes that if a person is unable to find a positive, religious environment they should even go live in a desert, rather than live in an area that can have a negative influence on them. A person should rather be alone than be in bad company—so much so that Hashem did not speak with Avraham Avinu during the time that he was living together with Lot. The only exception to this rule is if a person leaves their frum environment with a shlichus (mission) to be mekarev (bring close) other people to Yiddishkeit, as per the saying of Chazal, “Haba l’taheir, mesayin oso”, which could be interpreted to mean that when someone goes with the shlichus of purifying others, they are helped from Shamayim. This is very similar to the concept of Hakhel: a person should not keep to himself; they should create an entire kahal (a community) wherever they may be. #428
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