The Land I Will Show You, Introduction
The Land I Will Show You, Introduction
Introduction
The subject of Eretz Yisrael is one of the most fundamental and important in the Torah. The Promised Land has a central position in the Torah, from the call to the father of the nation: “Go for yourself.” Residing in it is “equivalent to all the mitzvahs in the Torah,”1 and only in it is Hashem God of His nation, as is written: “And I shall give to you… the whole Land of Canaan… and I shall be for them a God” [Genesis 17:8]; and Rashi explains: “But someone who resides outside of the Land – it is as if He isn’t his God.” Despite its centrality, this subject isn’t sufficiently clear, even to students of Torah. What is the nature of the mitzvah to reside in Eretz Yisrael, and what are its conditions and limitations? Is it sometimes preferable to reside in exile instead of residing in it? All these are fundamental questions that are always of practical relevance, and it is very appropriate that every Torah student to know the answer to them with clarity and certainty, all the more so sages who are expert in Torah. Yet it is not so. The subject is obscure and elusive, and there are even wise sages who haven’t comprehended its depths.
The reason for this is clear. This subject is different from the subject of the four types of custodians or the laws of sukkah and lulav that can be mastered through studying sources located in the appropriate places, through the usual course of study. There are 3 differences between them. One difference: The fundamentals of a typical subject are already assumed and ordered, and the student must only clarify the details of the halacha. There is Torah, mitzvah and law, and thus there is naturally a need to clarify their details. There is no need for someone studying the monetary laws to develop a complete theory of society, justice and righteousness, and there is likewise no need for someone studying the laws of sukkah to develop a complete theory of a commanding God and an obeying human. Even without establishing a theory starting from “A,” the student could reach to “Z” – to a proper conclusion of the required action.
This subject is different. It includes fundamental question, such as “What is the significance of EY to the Torah and it what sense is it significant?” that directly affect the appropriate course of action. And these questions touch on the depth of the Torah in general and depend on understanding its general values. What is important to the Torah? What does is ask from people and how? The idea of EY is a central idea in the Torah; therefore, understanding it properly depends on understanding the fundamentals of the Torah. To achieve full clarity in this subject requires deep understanding of the Torah’s intent and the moral call of its prophets.
A second difference: While the sources of a typical Torah-subject are bounded and known, and limited to the halachic literature, the sources that illuminate this subject are widespread and diffuse, scattered throughout Tanach, Chazal literature both halachic and aggadic, and also in the books of faith and Torah-outlook. In order to clarify this subject, it is necessary to understand these sources properly, to collect from them statements that bear on this matter, and to link those statements properly for a proper understanding that can be implemented in action.
A third difference: A typical halachic subject doesn’t change from time to time or era to era. The laws of custodians are not dependent on historical circumstances or the complexities of Divine Providence. It is relatively simple to study them from the books of all the sages of previous generations and apply them. Not so the subject of residing in Eretz Yisrael; this question depends on understanding the current reality, both from a realistic perspective and a theological perspective, and can change from time to time. Thus, there is no choice but to begin anew, with clear, deep, sensitive and measured thought.
Much ink was spilled on this topic, but I haven’t found a book that labored to clarify the matter from its first principles, from all angles and aspects of this broad subject. I read and studied every book that I found on this matter, and I came to the realization that there is still a need for a book that will plumb the eternal roots of the many and multifaceted angles of this question, which are essentially the very roots of the whole Torah.
Therefore, I took upon myself to study this great subject anew, in all its ins and outs, being always on guard from making assumptions or having any biases, to review it until I find the word of Hashem, which is halacha. Torah sages whose pinkies are wider than my thighs have already expressed their vast wisdom regarding various aspects of this subject; however, the mitzvah to study Torah obligated me to study it anew to the best of my abilities, in order to express my opinion too and reveal my conclusions, for the greatness and glory of the Torah.
These are the topics that will be covered in this book, each in its own section:
The source of the mitzvah to reside in Eretz Yisrael
The three oaths that Hashem adjured the Jewish nation
The decree of exile and its ramifications
Generations that chose not to reside in Eretz Yisrael
Are there certain conditions under which it is preferable to be in exile?
The question of the mitzvahs that depend on the land
The idea of Eretz Yisrael
Let it be known: The book does not deal with the subject of the State of Israel in any way whatsoever, not regarding its establishment in the past nor regarding aligning with it in the present in its current condition, but only with the mitzvah of residing in Eretz Yisrael itself.
Deep and heartfelt thanks are extended to my student and dear friend Mordechai Meyer Stone, with whom I studied this subject in depth and with much toil, from beginning to end. His great love for Torah and truth contributed greatly to this complex study; he has an eternal merit in the clarity of the matters and the beauty of their arrangement.
In addition to the rabbis who wrote approbations, various sages have reviewed the book and enriched its final version with criticism and enlightening comments. They are Rabbis Yosef Avivi, Shmuel Yaakov Gibber, Menachem Silber, Yitzchak Lowe, may they all live long! I thank them all for the goodness of their hearts, their time and wisdom.
My firstborn son, Yaakov Yosef, aided in editing the book and suggested fine corrections and improvements; so should Hashem aid him finely. The editor of the book, R’ Moshe David Chechik, polished and improved the presentation in his unique and wonderful way. I thank them all.
These are the editions that I have used in this book: The Kuzari, translated by Michael Schwartz, Be’er Sheva 2017; The Guide of the Perplexed, translated by Michael Schwartz, Tel Aviv 2003; Va’Yoel Moshe, Brooklyn 1993.
The references to ‘Oros Yaakov’ and ‘Mishnas Yaakov’ are to the books that the Creator has given me the merit to author: Oros Yaakov, selected essays about the stories of the forefathers, Brooklyn 2017; Mishnas Yaakov, selected essays about the holidays, Brooklyn 2019.
And now, with prayer to Hashem that I do not err, I begin my search to find a clear and final answer to one simple question: Should we reside in Eretz Yisrael?
(For the next chapter of “The Land I Will Show You,” click here.)
The Hebrew book is available for purchase from me directly, in Judaica stores, and online, here:
Sifre Deuteronomy, 80