The Jewish People Were Given the Land of Israel

It is a foundational belief within Jewish thought that HaShem bestowed the Land of Israel upon the descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. This divine grant is mentioned repeatedly in the Torah. Let’s explore this topic through the four levels of PaRDeS:

1. Pshat (Simple Meaning):
In Bereishit (Genesis) 12:1-7, HaShem promises Avraham: “To your offspring, I will give this land.” Later, this promise is reaffirmed to Yitzchak in Bereishit 26:3 and to Yaakov in Bereishit 28:13.

2. Remez (Allusion):
Beyond the literal text, the Land of Israel’s significance is hinted at through various Torah passages. For instance, in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 11:12, the land is described as “a land which HaShem your God cares for; the eyes of HaShem your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.”

3. Drash (Interpretation):
The sages in the Talmud (Ketubot 110b) discuss the profound connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a sage whose teachings are fundamental to Kabbalah, emphasized the spiritual benefits of living in the Land, suggesting that the very air of the Land of Israel grants wisdom.

4. Sod (Mystical Secret):
The Kabbalists, including the likes of Rabbi Isaac Luria and Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, teach that the Land of Israel has a unique spiritual quality. It is said to correlate with the sefirah of Malchut, representing God’s manifest presence in the physical world. The very soil of the land is considered to possess a unique spiritual energy, connecting it intrinsically to the Jewish neshama (soul).

In conclusion, the bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel is multifaceted, encompassing historical, spiritual, and mystical dimensions. From the promises made to the forefathers to the profound teachings of our sages and Kabbalists, the Land of Israel stands as a testament to the eternal covenant between HaShem and the Jewish people.

#israel #jews #mashiach