Shlach: The Good Land

Kingdom of David and Solomon

In parshas Shlach Moshe rabenu sends a delegation to explore the Promised Land. The commentaries are divided about its purpose. Some say it is to establish that the land that the children of Israel are coming to is indeed a good one. Others say that it is a reconnaissance mission in preparation of a military invasion. Others reckon it as completely unnecessary and a failure of faith. In any case we learn from this passage aspects of what is a good land.

The Chumash records three verses of instructions (Numbers 13:18-20) all of which ask, "what is the land", (מה הארץ). The central issue is the fundamental nature of the land and what type of people it produces?  The Or HaChaim explains that by observing the people that dwell in the land, it reveals the properties of the land itself. Moshe then asks if the people are "strong or sickly are they few or many". Rashi comments on the phrase "the land what is it" (במדבר יג יח), that there are lands that grow strong men and lands that grow weaklings, there are those that increase the population and those that shrink the population". The Sforno has similar observations and focuses on knowing if a person's stay on the land is a good one, and is specifically interested in good air and healthy food.

The next posuk asks if it is a good or bad land and if the cities are fortified or open. Various interpretations are given. Onkolos sees it as wealthy or poor. The Or HaChaim suggests good construction. The Ramban understands it as rich fruits. Rashi suggests deep wellsprings with water that is healthy and good. The Sforno among other commentaries explains the idea of fortified or open cities as freedom from war. It seems that the concept of good and bad lends itself to a moral dimension; specifically does this land incline people to be tsadikim or rashaim?

The last instruction is to observe if the land is fat or lean and are their trees. Rashi compares a tree to a tsadik and asks if among the present inhabitants there is a proper person that can defend them through his merits. Others see it more literally and explain that it refers to a many species of trees which bear rich fruit.

When Moshe later praises the land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:7-13), he describes gushing streams, abundant produce that is tasty and healthy, useful and valuable minerals, and nice houses. This is referring to the land itself, and indeed a person's physical needs and comforts are important. In addition if a person needs strong fortifications to defend against military threats and strong locks and doors and bars on windows to defend against criminals, there is something very wrong. Also, there are times when the land itself will draw a person towards good health, wealth, wisdom, and benevolence. A land that has all of the virtues is the land that a person should want to live in. This is the Holy land. It is where one trusts in G-d and nourishes the faith and ultimately the humble will inherit the land and delight in an abundance of peace (see Psalm 37:3, 11).

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אזכור הכבוד של תורמים ליד יוסף

אבי מורי פיליפ שרייבר, יוחנן הולצברג, אברהם שמרלר

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