Wednesday 18 March 2015

eretz yisrael - Two Days of Yom Tov for Visitors



Assuming the reason for two days Yom Tov is because messengers could not reach those places in time to tell them the days of Rosh Chodesh, why is it that if someone visits Israel, but doesn't plan on staying there, they are required to keep two days Yom Tov? Following the logic above, once they are in the new location (e.g. Israel), they will surely know the correct dates for Yom Tov.


[my question also applies to the reverse case of someone from Israel visitng Chutz La'aretz]



Answer



The truth is that while originally the practice was because of doubt about when Yom Tov would occur, that problem was solved when the calendar was fixed. Nevertheless the practice of two days of Yom Tov was retained as a custom.


In general an individual who travels to another local must retain their own customs while not publicly deviating from the local custom. As such an individual from chutz l'aretz who visits Eretz Yisrael is expected to retain their own custom against performing melachah, etc. on the "Second Day of Yom Tov" and pray the Yom Tov tefillos privately (M.B. 496:13). Conversely a "ben Eretz Yisrael visiting chutz l'Aretz must refrain from melachah on the second day of Yom Tov (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 496:3) even in private (M.B. 496:9).


There are a number of particulars in this so it is advisable, as always, to study and consult your Rav prior to acting.


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