Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Masr Transit

April 23, 2026

Q Does traveling via Egypt violate the issur to return to Mitzrayim?

A In three places, the Torah says not to return to Mitzrayim, and this is indeed an issur (Yerushalmi Sukkah 5:1). The Gemara says that the ancient Jewish community of Alexandria was ultimately destroyed on account of this violation. But the issur is only to settle there. As the Yerushalmi (Sanhedrin 10:8) says and the Rambam (Hil. Melachim 5:7) codifies, we may return to Mitzrayim temporarily for business or for merchandise or to conquer the land.

The Smag (Lo sa’aseh 227) questions how there could be Jewish communities in Egypt for many generations, notably the medieval Cairo kehilah led by the Rambam. He cites R’ Eliezer of Metz, who says the pasuk implies that the prohibition is only to return to Mitzrayim from Eretz Yisrael, not from elsewhere.

The Radvaz (peirush on Rambam ibid.) writes that the Rambam moved to Egypt only temporarily but was compelled by the government to remain there due to his position as physician to the sultan’s court. The Radvaz himself lived there and explained that he didn’t intend to stay: “I, too, lived there for a long time, in order to study and teach Torah, and I established a yeshiva there. In such circumstances it is permitted. I later came to Yerushalayim.” (See also Shu”t Radvaz 4:73.)

R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Da’as 3:81) discusses this question at length in response to the question of journalists whether they may travel to Egypt to report a story, which he permitted because it was temporary. Transiting through Egypt is likewise permitted.