Choosing A Place To Live

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I. Introduction

Selecting a place to call home is a pivotal decision that significantly impacts one's life, just as it has throughout history. The environment we surround ourselves with plays a profound role in shaping our identities, influencing our behaviors, and nurturing our overall well-being. The decision of where to live is a critical one, affecting us just as profoundly today as it has in the past. As our environment plays a significant role in shaping our identity and wellbeing, we must carefully choose a location that fosters both our physical and spiritual health, creating a supportive and uplifting space for us to thrive.

II. Essential Considerations

To maintain a community that supports the well-being and spiritual growth of its members, certain essential amenities and services are required. According to a baraita¹, a Torah scholar is not permitted to reside in a city that lacks these fundamental necessities.

A city must have:

(1) A court with the authority to enforce laws and punish transgressors, ensuring justice and order. Vital to the very fabric of society is a fair and impartial justice system, its absence spells chaos and ultimately, societal collapse. As the mishna says in Pirkei Avot (Avot 3:2) "Pray for the well-being of the government, for without the fear of authority, humanity would devolve into a state of lawlessness, where the strong would prey on the weak".

(2) A charity fund managed by two collectors and three distributors, as prescribed by halacha, to support the needy. A society that neglects the poor and the weak, warrants our utmost avoidance.

(3) A synagogue for communal prayer and spiritual growth.

(4) A bathhouse for maintaining personal hygiene.

(5) A public bathroom for convenience and dignity.

(6) A doctor to provide medical care.

(7) A bloodletter for medical procedures.

(8) A scribe (sofer) to write sacred scrolls and essential documents.

(9) A ritual slaughterer (shochet) to ensure kosher meat.

(10) A teacher for young children, providing education and nurturing future generations.

With these requirements, (11) a minimum of 120 men must reside in the city. Furthermore, Rabbi Akiva emphasizes the importance of having (12) varieties of fruit available, as they bring joy and illumination to the eyes, contributing to a wholesome and fulfilling community life.

The Rambam adds² (13) access to a reliable water source, such as a river, spring, or well, is a essential requirement for a city, and must be included among the necessary amenities. According to the Otzar Midrashim³, a city must also have (14) a mikveh, to facilitate the observance of family purity laws. Ideally, the mikveh should be situated within walking distance to ensure easy access, especially on Shabbat when transportation is restricted.

III. Further Considerations

(a) In Pirkei Avot, Nittai Ha'arbeli⁴ cautions us to maintain a safe distance from individuals with questionable character, warning that proximity to evil can lead to unintended consequences. By associating with the wicked, we risk adopting their harmful behaviors and suffering the same fate. The sages illustrate this point by comparing it to entering a spice shop – even if we don't take anything, we inevitably absorb the aroma and carry it with us.

Nittai Ha'arbeli further advises against befriending the wicked, as even passive association can lead to similar retribution. We must not assume that the wicked will continue to prosper or that their success is a sign of divine favor. Instead, we should recognize that punishment will ultimately catch up with them, often unexpectedly.

When considering relocation, one should opt for destinations with long-established and vibrant frum communities. It is crucial to choose a neighborhood where residents and neighbors uphold virtuous values. These areas offer a supportive environment that fosters spiritual growth and provides a sense of belonging among like-minded individuals. In contrast, regions that are more precarious, as even affiliation with a reputable synagogue may not suffice to ensure a successful and fulfilling experience. The influence of neighbors, peers, and social circles can be profound, and if they embody a lower level of commitment or values, it can potentially undermine one's own spiritual aspirations and sense of identity.

To ensure this, one should consult with their personal rabbi for guidance on identifying individuals who embody wickedness and avoiding those areas. By choosing a community with a strong and established foundation, individuals can better safeguard their spiritual well-being and create an environment conducive to personal growth and success.

To be continued…

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 ¹ Sanhedrin 17b

ותניא כל עיר שאין בה עשרה דברים הללו אין תלמיד חכם רשאי לדור בתוכה בית דין מכין ועונשין וקופה של צדקה נגבית בשנים ומתחלקת בשלשה ובית הכנסת ובית המרחץ וביהכ"ס רופא ואומן ולבלר (וטבח) ומלמד תינוקות משום ר' עקיבא אמרו אף מיני פירא מפני שמיני פירא מאירין את העינים

  משנה תורה, הלכות דעות ד׳:כ״ג

כָּל עִיר שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים הָאֵלּוּ אֵין תַּלְמִיד חָכָם רַשַּׁאי לָדוּר בְּתוֹכָהּ. וְאֵלּוּ הֵן: רוֹפֵא. וְאֻמָּן. וּבֵית הַמֶּרְחָץ. וּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא. וּמַיִם מְצוּיִין כְּגוֹן נָהָר וּמַעְיָן. וּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת. וּמְלַמֵּד תִּינוֹקוֹת. וְלַבְלָר. וְגַבַּאי צְדָקָה. וּבֵית דִּין מַכִּים וְחוֹבְשִׁים

³  אוצר מדרשים, חופת אליהו, חופת אליהו רבה רל״ב

כל עיר שאין בה תשעה דברים הללו אין תלמיד חכם רשאי לדור בתוכה, ואלו הן: בית הכנסת, ובית ישיבה, ובית המדרש לתינוקות, ובית דין, ובית מרחץ, וקופה של רוכלים, וקופה של צדקה, ומקוה, ופירות. ר״ע אומר לפי שמיני פירות מאירין עיניו של אדם

⁴  Avot 1:7

נִתַּאי הָאַרְבֵּלִי אוֹמֵר, הַרְחֵק מִשָּׁכֵן רָע, וְאַל תִּתְחַבֵּר לָרָשָׁע, וְאַל תִּתְיָאֵשׁ מִן הַפֻּרְעָנוּת