5784/2023

Eretz Yisrael differs from Mitzrayim, declares Moshe Rabbeinu in Devarim 11:10-11. In Israel, rain waters the crops; in Mitzrayim, we water our produce with our feet. Which is better?

Not surprisingly, Rashi clarifies that Eretz Yisrael is superior. While in Egypt, we had to walk (with our feet) water from the Nile to the crops; in Israel, Hashem waters the produce for us with rain. Rashi’s understanding fits the many praises Moshe Rabbeinu heaps upon Eretz Yisrael in Sefer Devarim. Earlier in Parashat Eikev (8:7-9), Moshe Rabbeinu presents his iconic breathtaking description of our beloved homeland “A good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths, springing forth in valleys and hills.” Moshe Rabbeinu in Sefer Devarim is eager to make us excited to enter Eretz Yisrael. So, of course, when comparing Israel to Egypt, he says that Eretz Yisrael is superior!

The Ramban, however, understands the Pesukim as a sober warning. In Mitzrayim, there is hardly ever a worry about water supply. The Nile overflows and provides water for the crops. Therefore, there is never a worry about a drought. For this reason, during a drought, Avraham Avinu went to Mitzrayim (and why Paroh so deeply feared a famine; something previously unheard of in Mitzrayim). In Eretz Yisrael, however, we depend on the rain.  

According to Ramban, Moshe Rabbeinu says that Mitzrayim is better because it has a dependable water source. The feet in Mitzrayim refers to kicking the little dam that is stopping the water from flowing into the crops. Hashem only provides rain in Eretz Yisrael if we adhere to the Mitzvot. Rashbam adds that Eretz Yisrael is superior to Mitzrayim if we observe the Torah. On the other hand, it is worse than any other land if we fail to do so. In other words, Israel’s climate is a motivation for us to do mitzvot.  

Three Proofs to Ramban

Pasuk 11 fits perfectly with Ramban since it notes that Eretz Yisrael is a land of mountains and valleys. This geography sharply contrasts with Egypt’s flat contours. In Egypt, water from the Nile irrigates the fields. Eretz Yisrael has no great river from which to draw water; even if it did, its uneven topography would make it infeasible for its water to reach most of the Land’s fields. 

The very next Pasuk (12) mentions that Hashem’s eyes are constantly on Eretz Yisrael. His attention is focused on the land from the year’s beginning to its end to see if we deserve rain. According to Ramban, Pasuk 12 flows perfectly from the prior two Pesukim. Thus, for Torah observers, it is a paradise. However, for those who neglect God’s law, it is miserable. Pesukim 13 to 18 also fit perfectly with Ramban’s understanding of Pesukim 10 to 12. Pesukim 13 to 18 (Parashat V’Hayah Im Shamo’ah) tells us it rains in Eretz Yisrael only if we observe Mitzvot.  

Masechet Ta’anit

The second and third Perakim Masechet Ta’anit describe at length the procedures of fasting and Tefilla when there is drought in Eretz Yisrael. The Halachot and the many accompanying unforgettable stories vividly portray how rain in Eretz Yisrael is a barometer of our relationship with Hashem.  

The following two stories (Ta’anit 25b) illustrate how Chazal bring this idea to life (translation from the William Davidson edition of the Talmud):

The Sages taught: An incident occurred involving Rabbi Eliezer, who decreed a complete cycle of thirteen fasts upon the congregation, but rain did not fall. At the end of the last fast, the congregation began to exit the synagogue. He said to them: Have you prepared graves for yourselves? If rain does not fall, we will all die of hunger. All the people burst into tears, and rain fell.

There was another incident involving Rabbi Eliezer, who descended to serve as prayer leader before the ark on a fast day. And he recited twenty-four blessings, but he was not answered. Rabbi Akiva descended before the ark after him and said: Our Father, our King, we have no king other than You. Our Father, our King, for Your sake, have mercy on us. And rain immediately fell. The Sages were whispering among themselves that Rabbi Akiva was answered while his teacher, Rabbi Eliezer, was not. A Divine Voice emerged and said: It is not because this Sage, Rabbi Akiva, is greater than that one, Rabbi Eliezer, but that this one is forgiving, and that one is not forgiving. God responded to Rabbi Akiva’s forgiving nature in kind by sending rain.

Contemporary Application

Israel today has, Baruch Hashem, emerged as a water technology superpower. Seth Siegel’s “Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World” describes the various ingenious Israeli methods of procuring and saving water. However, despite all the advances and breakthroughs, Israel remains dependent on rain. 

TABC graduates studying in Israel reported how in 2022-2023, Israel’s Chief Rabbinate declared a fast after a delay in the arrival of winter rains. They were stunned when a major rainstorm ensued the day after the pronounced fast day! I recalled a similar series of events when studying in Israel in 1981.  

Israel’s Military Vulnerability

Another way that Israel motivates us to keep Mitzvot is its military vulnerability. The beginning of Parashat Bechukotai soberly warns us that there will be peace if we observe mitzvot and if we do not war results. For this reason, Hashem brought us to Eretz Yisrael, located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This location makes Israel exceptionally desirable for countries to control. 

Thus, Israel is a highly coveted land which makes it militarily vulnerable. The advantage of living in this situation is that we are motivated to observe Torah to achieve military and economic security.  Neither the left nor the right brings security and stability to Eretz Yisrael. It all depends on our allegiance to Hashem and His Torah. So while politicians bandy superficial claims and slogans, the truth lies solely with the Torah.   

Conclusion – Both Rashi and Ramban are Correct

Both Rashi and Ramban are correct. Eretz Yisrael holds a special Chein (charm) upon our people, and we look at it with a special love. Thus, in every way, it is better than all other lands, just as a loving husband believes his wife is superior to everyone.  

However, even with all our love for our beautiful land, living in Eretz Yisrael demands acting as Torah-responsible Jews. Love for a spouse is insufficient to create a successful marriage. Responsible living is just as important. The same applies no less to Eretz Yisrael.