Specialness of Eretz Yisrael

An important point made in last week's Parsha, is the specialness of Eretz Yisrael. The beginning of the Parsha speaks about how Hashem is bringing us to a good land that is lacking nothing. It is the land of the Seven Species where we do not need to eat bread in poverty.

The end of the Parsha also speaks about Israel and says that it is not like Egypt. Rashi says that it is a better land than Egypt. The eyes of Hashem are upon this land from the start of the year to the end of the year.

The intention of Judaism was that we become a nation not a religion. As a nation, we are meant to all live together in our land. The three parts of Judaism are עם ישראל, תורת ישראל, ארץ ישראל, the Torah, the people, and the land.

It is simply not natural for a Jew to be living outside of our land. Rashi even points out that the observance of Mitzvot outside of Israel are for practice, so that we will know what to do when we come home.

We must never minimize the important role that Israel plays for every Jew. And especially today, when every Jew is free to come, the gift of Eretz Yisrael should not be taken for granted.