We see in this week’s parsha that Avraham “works hard” in a long and detailed give-and-take to buy the Ma’arat HaMachpela in Chevron. Like Har HaBayit and Shchem, Avraham refuses to accept it as a gift, for he wants it to be clear forever and to all, that no gentiles can claim Eretz Yisrael (Breishit Rabba 79, 7, see also 1st Rashi in the Torah).
The Ibn Ezra (23, 19) explains that this chapter teaches us that from here and forever we have, not just a Heavenly promise but a tangible and eternal stronghold in the Land of Israel. It also comes “to inform us the outstanding level of Eretz Yisrael above all other lands, for the living and dead, alike”.
Kiddushin, betrothing a wife, is the 1st symbol, tangible, legal and halachic sign of love and eternal bond between the couple. R. Shlomo Riskin pointed out that it’s not a coincidence that Chazal (Kiddushi 2a) learn this from the very first as well as the final buying in Eretz Yisrael. Avraham’s obtaining Chevron, and Yirmiyahu’s buying land in Israel for the final redemption (Yirmiyahu 32, 44), are the source of how to do Kiddushin and marriage, for the ultimate example of eternal love with which we wish to bless the new couple is the similar relationship between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. Even when nations forcibly separated us, we knew it was temporary and continuously tried (and did!) return. Like a faithful wife, Israel waited for her lover, not giving her fruits to foreign nations, who all tried but to no avail (Ramban, Vayikra 26). And now that we have returned, “As a young man lives with a virgin, so shall your children live in you (Eretz Yisrael)… (Yishayahu 62, 5).
Rav Kook (Ma’amarei HaReiya, p. 323), in his heartfelt cry, “Come you all to Eretz Yisrael”, stresses that Aliya is the answer to ALL of the problems, both spiritual and physical. Especially today, aside from the many positive religious mitzvot, as well as national and historical reasons to make Aliya (the future is clearly here), and that real estate in Israel is a solid and eternal investment, Jews outside of Israel struggle with assimilation and intense cultural influences (like self-centeredness and gender confusion, not to mention intermarriage), anti-Semitism, the cost of yeshiva education, changing neighborhoods, a lack of Torah leadership, etc. The Torah often points out that the mitzvot are (Dvarim 6,, 24) “לטוב לנו”, for our benefit, and sound advice (Yishayahu 25, 1). Only Hashem can know all of the complex factors involved in such far-reaching decisions, and only He can solve all problems with one concrete command: ISRAEL, “והרושתם את הארץ ושיבתם בה”, “inherit=own the Land and settle her”( (Bamidbar 33, 53).
Friends from NY have informed me that it’s not a rumor but a fact that many who planned to buy homes in Eretz Yisrael, but delayed carrying out their dream, are now, with the election of Madmani, bringing their ideal into fruition. We always preferred that our fellow Jews should come home to Israel out of ideals, and not out of fear, ובאו ציון ברינה””, (Yishayahu 51, 11), and it’s not too late for that (for the assimilated Jews are not coming so soon, not to mention those running to Florida, so those making Aliya now is clearly also out of ideals), but the main point is to come Home! Shabbat Shalom, Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)