Almost without exception, my friends and classmates who have made aliyah have significantly more children than those who remained in the United States. Israel has one of the highest life expediencies in the entire world. The percentage of Jews who observe Shabbat and kashrut is dramatically higher in Israel than in any other country. What is the source of all these blessings?

Rashi at the beginning of Parshat Lech Lecha provides the answer. Rashi explains the extra word Lecha as teaching that Avraham Avinu’s Aliyah is for tovah and hana’ah, best interest and pleasure. What does Rashi add by saying that Eretz Yisrael is both in our best interest and pleasure? We may answer that Rashi thereby teaches that Israel is in not only our best spiritual interest, but also provides material pleasure and benefit. Thus, it is hardly a surprise that even today we are witness to the manifold spiritual and practical benefits of living in Israel.

When Hashem completed Creation He comments “V’hinei tov me’od,” it is very good. Kaleiv, though, remarks about Eretz Yisrael that “Tovah ha’aretz me’od me’od,” the land is very very good. While all of Creation is very good, Eretz Yisrael is very very good. The Torah states clearly that Eretz Yisrael is twice as good as the rest of the world.

I heard a secular Jew recently remark that he had a trip to Israel scheduled for a few weeks from now, but he plans on canceling if the current Arab violence does not abate. Such an attitude emerges from a shallow and impoverished perspective on our Holy Land.

The religious Jew, who has a richer and deeper perspective on Hashem’s world, views the current violence very differently. The special qualities and benefits of Eretz Yisrael are apparent and attractive even (perhaps especially) during these challenging times. The religious Jew understands that Eretz Yisrael is always l’tovateinu and l’hana’ateinu.

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah.

By Rabbi Haim Jachter