BS'D
Hello,
I am Eliyahu, a student at Yeshivat Midrash Shmuel. I have learned previously in Yeshivat Ner Israel in Baltimore, MD and in Yeshivat Ruach Chaim in Jerusalem. Eitan Divinsky, an esteemed colleague of mine and a budding talmid chacham, has kindly asked me to share my weekly Divrei Torah on his blog. It is my honor and privilege to share my writings on such an esteemed platform. Shabbat Shalom!
דְּרָכֶיהָ The Torah's take on life - and all it throws our way.
israel
It's an undisputed fact that Eretz Yisrael
holds a special place in the heart of every Jew. Through thick or thin, every
member of our people supports the land in every which way they can. In times of
turmoil, Klal Yisrael gather together to pray for a ray of light; and in
times of peace, preservation of the land is always on the tips of our tongues.
We shall attempt to explore this deep-rooted affection for the land of Israel
and in the process, understand why it is such a central focus in our religion.
The foundation begins in Sefer
Bereshit, in which the Torah details the covenant made between Hashem and
Avraham Avinu (known as the "Covenant of the Parts"). While on
Israel's soil, Hashem promises Avraham that the land on which he stands will be
promised to his offspring, the Jewish people (1). Immediately, at that point, the land became infused with an extraordinary level
of holiness not found in any other part of the world. Eretz Yisrael became the
epicentre for spirituality of the world forever more.
Plenty of evidence for the holiness
of Eretz Yisrael can be found in many places throughout Chazal.
According to one Gemara, the land of Israel receives the first rains,
while the rest of the world only gets that which is left over (2) - a proof
that Hashem's "nature" system revolves around Eretz Yisrael. In
Tractate Pesahim, the Hahamim list three groups of people who are
assured a portion in the world to come: one who raises his children to learn
Torah, one who makes Havdala over a cup of wine (after Shabbat), and one
who lives in Eretz Yisrael (3).
Furthermore, another Gemara declares that one who walks 4 cubits (around
8 ft.) in Israel is another candidate for a spot in the world to come (4). Seeing as
the land is injected with intrinsic holiness, just being on its terrain
can produce a tremendous merit!
