On December 7, 2025, Meaningful Minutes featured a debate on YouTube between Rabbi Michal Weichbrod and Rabbi Elchonon Shoff titled “Should Jews Leave America?” As of December 18, the video has already garnered over 45,000 views.
I feel it is my chov—my obligation—to be moiche against the tremendous Chillul Hashem caused by Rabbi Elchonon Shoff. His words, filled with distortions and half-truths, must be repudiated so they do not, chas v’sholom, become a kitrug against Klall Yisrael.
Rabbi Shoff, with his Yeshivishe background, was articulate in presenting his fabrications and lashon hara about Eretz Yisrael—more dangerous in their subtlety than even the words of the meraglim chosen by Moshe Rabbeinu himself.
Rabbi Michal Weichbrod, a true mentch, responded with sincerity and conviction, and may I add, with respect!
I intend to point out Rabbi Shoff’s absurd and heretical claims, and his misguided praise of Jews remaining in Chutz La’aretz. His arguments must be dismantled clearly and forcefully, so that the truth about Eretz Yisrael and the responsibility of our generation is heard.
I will not go into whether there is an obligation to live in Eretz Yisrael I'm just here to point out the ridiculous and sometimes heretical views of Shoff!
At the 9:21 mark, Rabbi Shoff presents an extreme and emotionally charged scenario about a child with cancer. This example has no relevance to the discussion. Pikuach nefesh overrides everything — no one disputes that. Why introduce such a case other than to manipulate the audience’s emotions?
At 11:29, he claims to “follow the majority of poskim,” citing Rav Moshe Feinstein as saying that living in Eretz Yisrael is not a mitzvah kiyumis and carries no obligation. Rabbi Michal Weichbrod correctly responds that Rav Moshe is a yachid on this matter. In fact, Rav Moshe bases his position on another yachid — Rabbeinu Chaim Kohen of the Baalei Tosafos.
