Appreciating Eretz Yisrael

This week's Parsha, לך לך speaks a great deal about the specialness of Eretz Yisrael. Hashem promises Avraham an everlasting promise that this land belongs to the Jewish people.In the ברית בין הבתרים, that took place in הר חרמון, Hashem makes a covenant with Avraham that Israel will be ours after the exodus from Egypt.The של״ה הקדוש says that the word כנען comes from the word הכנעה, which means surrender, or is another word for humility. We are able to merit the beauty and holiness of the land if we act with humility.We are to see Eretz Yisrael as the closest thing to גן עדן as one day it will actually be the Garden of Eden. We are never to take it for granted and we are to seek out its holiness.Hashem has a special connection with the Jewish people in Israel. This is why the של״ה הקודש says that one who lives in חוץ לארץ is דומה, like someone with no G-d. It's not as if there's no G-d but it seems that way in comparison to Eretz Yisrael.The של״ה suggests that we see ourselves as strangers in ארץ ישראל so that we will never take it for granted. Let's make this Shabbat, "Eretz Yisrael appreciation Shabbat." Shabbat Shalom