Torat Eretz Yisrael

In this session of our Torat Eretz Yisrael series, we explore a topic that is both essential and often misunderstood: the borders of the land. Why does Eretz Yisrael need defined boundaries? Beyond the practical needs of national security and sovereignty, these borders determine where specific land dependent mitzvot, such as Shemitah and Terumot, apply. However, when we look at the Torah, we find two seemingly contradictory maps. One describes the land of seven nations given to Bnei Yisrael under Yehoshua, while the other, promised to Avraham, encompasses ten nations. We will analyze the Ramban's explanation that these borders are [...]

In our previous sessions, we explored the inherent sanctity of the land and the holiness of Jerusalem. Today, we turn to a practical and fundamental question: does this sanctity obligate every individual to live in Eretz Yisrael? We will examine the divergent views of the great Rishonim, specifically the Ramban, who counts living in the land as one of the 613 mitzvot, and the Rambam, who notably omits it from his list. Does the Rambam view living here as a philosophical benefit rather than a legal requirement? We also discuss the concept of a mitzvah kiyumit, an idea suggested by [...]

In this series, we will explore several sugyot essential to understanding the role of the Land of Israel in the Torah. While we may touch on Jewish philosophy, our focus will primarily be on the halachic aspects and legal terms surrounding the land. We begin with a fundamental question: what generates the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael? We will delve into the complex sugya of Kedusha Rishona and Kedusha Shniya, examining whether the sanctity established by Yehoshua was eternal or temporary. We will also look at the Rambam’s fascinating distinction between conquering land through war versus establishing ownership through Chazaka, as [...]