The Land of Israel - praise

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  1. In Praise of the Land

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    Parashat Eikev includes two units that praise the land of Israel. Why are two units necessary? The first compares the land with the desert, while the second focuses on the contrast with Egypt.

  2. Trees in Tanakh and Tu B'Shevat - the New Year of the Trees

    HaTanakh.com Staff

  3. Eretz Yisrael in Tanakh and Jewish Thought

    Rabbi Chaim Navon

    Does the Tanakh portray the Land of Israel as a homeland, or as a place of exile? What type of qualities are unique and special about the Land? Are the geographical and natural features a source of abundant blessing or of vulnerability and dependence upon God? What is meant by the various biblical descriptions of the Land as the place of the Divine Presence?  We examine the role of the Land of Israel throughout Tanakh, and explore perspectives of  midrashim and Jewish philosophers and scholars. Some of the responses may be surprising.

  4. Rashi

    Part 5 - The Moral and Educational Philosophy of Rashi (III - Conclusion)

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    Rashi has a great affection not only for the ancestors of the Jewish people, but for Israel as a nation as well, and he succeeds in finding points in their favor even when their sins are spelled out in the verse.

    Rashi attributes many great qualities to the Land of Israel, whether physical or spiritual, and he believes that the Land of Israel has higher spiritual standards than other lands.

    A number of expressions and maxims have become a treasured part of the Hebrew language because of Rashi’s commentary. Rashi did not compose these expressions, but the fact that Rashi uses these aphorisms has made them extremely popular.

  5. Ramban

    Part 2

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    This lesson is dedicated to a number of philosophical topics that recur throughout the Ramban’s commentary on the Torah.

    Maaseh Avot Siman Lebanim – The events that transpire with the forefathers is an omen for the children.

    This historical view of the Ramban is of great significance, not just in the field of exegesis, but also because it has such a clear polemical anti-Christian aim. Indeed there is an allusion to the future in the stories of the forefathers, but the allusion is for Israel’s future — what is decreed upon their seed — but not for others, who are not of their seed.

    The Superiority of the Land of Israel

    The superiority of the Land of Israel predates Avraham and to the People of Israel. The overturning of Sodom was due to the superiority of the Land of Israel. As opposed to the other lands of the worlds that are managed by angelic representatives of God, the Land of Israel is managed by God directly.

    The main significance of the fulfillment of commandments is in the Land of Israel.

    Nissayon – Test

    The test is designed to serve not the Tester, God, but rather the one who is being tested. The nissayon in the Torah is an opportunity which is provided for the righteous to apply in practice their dedication to God and to earn a reward for this. In this way, they will receive a reward not only for their potential dedication, but for their actual dedication as is described with regard to Akeidat Yitzhak and the mann.

  6. The Symbolism of the Four Species

    Rabbi Meir Shpiegelman

    The Torah establishes the obligation to take on Sukkot four species – the lulav, etrog, hadas and arava.
    In practice, we actually take seven species: one lulav, one etrog, three hadasim and two aravot. We will explore the symbolic connections between the Sukkot species and the "seven species" of the Land of Israel, and we will trace the implicit biblical links between the four species and water via a close reading of the "nisukh ha-mayim" descriptions in the Musaf Offerings for Sukkot. 

    Wherein lies the significance of this parallel betweenthese groups? Generally, kedusha (sanctity) manifests itself in the world in one of three ways: time, place and people. The highest level of kedusha is attained when these three forms of kedusha merge, when a sacred person enters a sacred place at a sacred time. The unique sanctity of Sukkot combines all three categories of kedusha together with the four species – the symbol of God's providence.