And Rab Judah? — Another text also is available: I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, [that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please]’.
And R. Zera? — That implies that Israel shall not go up [all together as if surrounded] by a wall.
And Rab Judah? — Another ‘I adjure you’ is written in Scripture.
And R. Zera? — That text is required for [an exposition] like that of R. Jose son of R. Hanina who said: ‘What was the purpose of those three adjurations? —
One, that Israel shall not go up [all together as if surrounded] by a wall; the second, that whereby the Holy One, blessed be He, adjured Israel that they shall not rebel against the nations of the world; and the third is that whereby the Holy One, blessed be He, adjured the idolaters that they shall not oppress Israel too much’.
As you probably noticed, this Talmudic passage is specifically talking about leaving Babylon. Just to give you some context, the main schools of Jewish study were in Babylon at the time (i.e The Babylonian Talmud) and the entire Talmudic passage is speaking about the “prohibition” of leaving Babylon.
The most intriguing thing about this Talmudic passage is the fact that it was not accepted as a halachic ruling (Jewish law).
In Tractate of Yoma, on page 9B, Resh Lakish (one of the most well known rabbis at the time met another Talmudic scholar from Babylon. When the Babylonian scholar approached Resh Lakish, he responded, “I hate you people of Bavel (Babylon)”
The reason brought down in the Talmud for Resh Lakish’s hatred, was the fact that the Jews of Babylon did not come home to Israel during the time of Ezra, during the second Temple.
Resh Lakish’s hatred towards the Jews of Babylon for not leaving Babylon clearly demonstrates the fact that the passage in Ketubot that states one may not leave Babylon for Israel is not Halacha.
Furthermore there is not a single Halachic source that brings down the prohibition to come or to build a State in Israel before the time of Moshiach.
Proof These “Religious” Anti Zionists Are Wrong
Another source brought down by anti Zionist Jews is from the Sanhedrin tractate page 98A
“R. Hama b. Hanina said: The son of David will not come until even the pettiest kingdom ceases [to have power] over Israel, as it is written, He shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches; and this is followed by, in that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people that is scattered and peeled.“
Some have attempted to claim that the words “pettiest kingdoms” are talking about the Zionists. Unfortunately for them, this passage is talking about non-Jewish leaders who are harshly ruling over Jews.
The Geeonim specifically mention this Talmudic passage is talking about the Roman empire who have insulted Israel and God.
Of course the Jews who are teaming up with those who seek to destroy Israel have a habit of quoting half a text. The Sanhedrin tractate on page 98 gives several signs that the Mashiach (Messiah is coming). The Talmudic passage starts out with,
“R. Abba also said: There can be no more manifest [sign of] redemption than this: viz., what is said, But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel, for they are at hand to come.”
It is brought down in the book of Ezekiel (יחזקאל) that there is no clearer sign the Mashiach is close than the Land of Israel blossoming.