Pesach is around the corner. Soon we will be remembering the slavery in Egypt, our wandering in the desert, and our first entry into the land as a nation under the leadership of Joshua.

It’s time for us to find ourselves and our faith in Hashem again. Claim the land-our land. Without fear or apologies. And when our enemy pushes back, this time we will show them we will not accept their terror. We will not make deals and promises, we will not disrespect Hashem and the memory of the dead.

Today the Left-leaning, terror-appeasing government is one step away from dissolving. Right before Pesach. It is a great day, but we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent and rely on the Israeli government to fight our battles for us. The Promised Land belongs to every single Jew, it’s about time we acted like it.

So what can we as individuals do?

1. Those who are still living in the diaspora- STOP. Make Aliyah already. We are commanded in the Torah to live in Israel, not to wait until Mashiach comes or when the laws in Israel match Torah and rabbinical law, NOW. Realize that fear of the unknown (financials, language, culture, security, kids’ adjustment, etc) is simply a lack of faith in Hashem. Don’t be part of the 80% of Bnei Yisrael who chose to stay in Egypt.

2. Build a life here in Israel. Find a place to live, get a job. Get married to another Halachik Jew and have Jewish children. Learn Hebrew and grow a support system with a healthy mix of fellow immigrants and native Israelis. Whenever war or terror happens do as the Israelis do- continue to live life. Mourn the dead, but continue to live life as normal. Don’t live in fear, and don’t think that making deals with the terrorists will make them stop. It won’t. Showing our strength and resolve will.

3. Yigal Alon once said, “We must prepare for war as if it were inevitable, and seek peace as if it were at hand.” Take first aid classes and become an EMT through Magen David Adom if possible. Take self-defense classes (including for women and children). Israelis get creative when fending off attackers, from pizza boxes to selfie sticks. Be aware of your surroundings, possible exits and weapons available, and the density of crowds. Inspect your bomb shelter and make sure it is ready in the event you have to use it. Practice shooting and get a license to carry when you’re eligible. Do all of this with the frame of mind to be prepared, not from a place of fear.

4. If you are reasonably young and healthy, look into moving to the periphery of Israel. Everyone who makes Aliyah wants to move to central Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (where it’s more densely populated and extremely expensive). There is still lots of land from the Golan and Kinneret to the Negev; from Yehuda and Shomron. For the truly faithful and brave of heart, create your own community in these areas either on your own or through an organization like Nachala. Here you are truly a pioneer, like a Jew from Joshua’s time. Claiming the land and settling it.

“כי את כל הארץ אשר אתה רואה לך אתננה ולזרעך עד עולם”

Am Yisrael Chai