One of the most profound expressions of love for Eretz Yisroel was composed by our sages in the Al HaMichya prayer, which we say after eating certain foods. After a few words thanking G-d for the food we ate, the prayer takes a new direction. We thank G-d for the land of Yisroel, pray for His compassion upon the Land, and entreat Him for the redemption and rebuilding of Yerushalayim.
Why is most of the prayer thanking G-d for food devoted to Eretz Yisroel?
A fundamental answer is offered to this question. Blessing is showered on the food of the entire world through the holiness and the blessing of Eretz Yisroel. It is for this reason that as soon as we thank G-d for the food, we change direction and focus on the holy land of Eretz Yisroel.
Upon what is this love for the land of Yisroel based? Let us see how our sages encapsulated their feelings: "...for the produce of the field, and for the desirable, good, and spacious land, which You have desired and given to our fathers as an inheritance, that they might eat of its fruit and be satisfied with its goodness...."
We express two reasons for our love of this "desirable, good, and spacious land." Firstly, it is the gift of G-d's love. The land of Yisroel is so special to us because it is the sign of our relationship with G-d. It is exactly like a special gift given by the groom to his bride: the gift that he has promised to her, and through which he displays his special relationship with her.
We also declare our love of the land because it is our inheritance from our fathers. This means that it is our history. Eretz Yisroel is the land through which we can connect to our ancestors, the prophets, and the events of the Bible. We can walk on the same soil that these people walked upon, we can breath the same air they breathed, and we can view the same mountains and valleys upon which they gazed.
A large part of the Biblical commands can only be fulfilled in Eretz Yisroel. And in Eretz Yisroel we can join together with the rest of our brothers and sisters, from all parts of the world, and serve Him together, as one People.
Towards the end of Al HaMichya, we beseech G-d to show His nation compassion, to redeem us and to rebuild the Holy Temple. And we close by expressing our desire "to partake of the fruits of the Land and to be satiated with its goodness," which will culminate in, "that we may bless You for it in holiness and purity."
Perhaps one way we can beseech G-d to annul the wicked expulsion decree, and to abolish the wicked plans of the terrorists, is by reciting the Al HaMichya with love of G-d and the Land, which is His gift of love to us.
May we increase our ahavat Yisroel (love of our fellow Jews), so that we may all return together to our precious land, and once again witness G-d's love and compassion. Then, the day will come that all the nations will join with us to proclaim, "HaShem, G-d of Yisroel, is King, and His dominion is upon everything."
Why is most of the prayer thanking G-d for food devoted to Eretz Yisroel?
A fundamental answer is offered to this question. Blessing is showered on the food of the entire world through the holiness and the blessing of Eretz Yisroel. It is for this reason that as soon as we thank G-d for the food, we change direction and focus on the holy land of Eretz Yisroel.
Upon what is this love for the land of Yisroel based? Let us see how our sages encapsulated their feelings: "...for the produce of the field, and for the desirable, good, and spacious land, which You have desired and given to our fathers as an inheritance, that they might eat of its fruit and be satisfied with its goodness...."
We express two reasons for our love of this "desirable, good, and spacious land." Firstly, it is the gift of G-d's love. The land of Yisroel is so special to us because it is the sign of our relationship with G-d. It is exactly like a special gift given by the groom to his bride: the gift that he has promised to her, and through which he displays his special relationship with her.
We also declare our love of the land because it is our inheritance from our fathers. This means that it is our history. Eretz Yisroel is the land through which we can connect to our ancestors, the prophets, and the events of the Bible. We can walk on the same soil that these people walked upon, we can breath the same air they breathed, and we can view the same mountains and valleys upon which they gazed.
A large part of the Biblical commands can only be fulfilled in Eretz Yisroel. And in Eretz Yisroel we can join together with the rest of our brothers and sisters, from all parts of the world, and serve Him together, as one People.
Towards the end of Al HaMichya, we beseech G-d to show His nation compassion, to redeem us and to rebuild the Holy Temple. And we close by expressing our desire "to partake of the fruits of the Land and to be satiated with its goodness," which will culminate in, "that we may bless You for it in holiness and purity."
Perhaps one way we can beseech G-d to annul the wicked expulsion decree, and to abolish the wicked plans of the terrorists, is by reciting the Al HaMichya with love of G-d and the Land, which is His gift of love to us.
May we increase our ahavat Yisroel (love of our fellow Jews), so that we may all return together to our precious land, and once again witness G-d's love and compassion. Then, the day will come that all the nations will join with us to proclaim, "HaShem, G-d of Yisroel, is King, and His dominion is upon everything."