Is the city of Eilat considered outside of Eretz Yisrael?
Question
Is the city of Eilat considered outside of Eretz Yisrael? Thank you very much
Answer
Greetings,
The city of Eilat is located outside the borders of Eretz Yisrael, and one may not travel there for the purpose of a trip, just as it is forbidden to leave Eretz Yisrael for chutz laAretz for the purpose of a trip (see Teshuvot VeHanhagot, part 3, siman 332, s.v. Vehineh mah, in the name of the Chazon Ish ztl; and see there at the end of s.v. Uladaati, and Shevet HaLevi, part 5, siman 173, and Az Nidberu, part 14, siman 43, and the book Or L'Tzion, part 3, chapter 23, ot 12, s.v. UleInyan).
Nevertheless, in Eilat it is customary not to observe the second day of Yom Tov - see https://www.hidabroot.org/question/259145
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
