G-d's Country

This week's Parsha is also loaded with information. At the beginning and end of פרשת עקב, there are praises of the Land of Israel. In the first Aliya, we become acquainted with the שבעת המינים, the seven species.We are told that Eretz Yisrael is a land that is not lacking in anything. Chazal say אוירה דארץ ישראל מחכים, the air in Israel makes one wise.In the Talmud, the Amora, אביי, praised the Torah scholars of Israel as being superior to those of Babylonia. The inherent holiness of the land, has a profound effect on every person.The Rabbis further say that one who lives in Israel has all of his sins forgiven. One who lives in Israel is a צדיק, for if he wasn't, the land would not tolerate him and he would be cast out of the land.How fortunate are we who have been blessed to be able to live in G-d's country.