Chutz La'aretz (outside the land)

חוץ לארץ

"חוץ לארץ" (Chutz La'aretz) translates to "outside the land" and refers to any land outside of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). In our tradition, Chutz La'aretz holds a different spiritual status compared to Eretz Yisrael. While Eretz Yisrael is considered the holiest place, where certain mitzvot are specifically connected to the land, Chutz La'aretz is seen as a place of spiritual exile, where the holiness of the land is not as readily revealed.

 

Nevertheless, it is taught that wherever a Jew is, they can still bring divine light into their surroundings by fulfilling Torah and mitzvot, even in Chutz La'aretz, thus contributing to the ultimate purpose of creation.