The Promised Land Overview What this booklet covers: o Concept of the Promised Land o The Covenant with Abraham as the origin of belief in The Promised Land o The significance of the Covenant with Abraham o The role of Abraham and his importance in Judaism o Issues and Attitudes towards The Promised Land and the State of Israel in relation to The Promised Land o Sources of wisdom about The Promised Land 1
The concept of The Promised Land Why is The Promised Land called The Promised Land? The Promised Land got this title simply because it was promised by G-d, first to individuals and then to an entire nation. The first time we read about The Promised Land is near the beginning of the Torah when G-d told Avraham that he had to leave the land where he was living to go, To the Land that I will show you. That land, then called the Land of Cana an, was to become the homeland of the Jewish People. Who was The Promised Land promised to? In Jewish belief, the Land of Israel has been promised to the Jewish People from G-d ever since G-d promised it to Avraham. In the Torah we read that The Land of Israel was also promised through the Jewish family line of Yitzchak and Ya akov and their descendants. This is why Jews will claim it is theirs, as opposed to other descendants of Abraham or Yitzchak i.e. the Arab or Christian world. The Land of Israel was also promised to the Jews on a national level, through the Exodus, when G-d took the Jews out of Egypt to bring them to their own homeland. What is the other side of the bargain? G-d didn t promise The Promised Land without conditions. Many times we read in the Torah that in return G-d expects the Jewish People to show loyalty to Him and the Torah. The Land of Israel is often mentioned in terms of reward and punishment; be loyal and the Land will work for you. Be disloyal and not only will the Land rebel but you might lose the right to live on that Land. The Covenants with Avraham As we mentioned above, the Promised Land concept started with Avraham. There are three main episodes in the Torah which show this: 1. G-d s first communication with Avraham was an instruction to leave his homeland and, go to a place that I will show you. This place was Eretz Cana an (Land of Cana an), later to be known as Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel). 2. The Brit Bein Habetarim (Covenant between the parts). Later in his life, Avraham asked G-d directly how he can be sure he will inherit the Land of Israel. G-d instructed Avraham to take and cut up various animals and birds, whereupon G-d 2
made a covenant with Avraham that his descendants will inherit the land. Prior to this, however, G-d told Avraham that his descendants would first be oppressed in a land that was not theirs. 3. The Brit Milah (Covenant in the flesh). As Avraham grew older and had not had any children with Sarah, G-d informed him that his name would be changed from Avram to Avraham. The extra letter the letter Hey meant that he had a new name and a new destiny. (G-d also changed Sarah s name from Sarai to Sarah). From then on he was destined to have a son with Sarah who would be the inheritor of the Land. In return, Avraham s male descendants were to be circumcised at the age of eight days old as a sign of belonging in the covenant. The significance of the Covenant with Avraham The Brit Milah in particular has played, and continues to play, a significant active role in Jewish life. For many Jews, even non-practising Jews, Brit Milah is an important rite of passage for a newborn son. It is also an important part of a male conversion to Judaism. Since a covenant is a two-way promise, the significance is also two-way. For Jews, this means a commitment to performing Brit Milah, often at great personal risk (outlawing Brit Milah has long been a tactic of groups who wish to oppress the Jews. Even today, some groups will oppose Brit Milah as being barbaric or outdated). It is important to note that Jews perform Brit Milah for religious reasons and not for health reasons. Jews believe that in return for this commitment to Brit Milah, G-d will honour His commitment to giving the Land of Israel to the Jewish People. The role of Avraham and his influence in Judaism Avraham is undoubtedly one of the most influential people in Jewish history. Here are some of the reasons why: Avraham rediscovered monotheism after generations of people moved away from G-d. He discovered G-d through a process of thought, understanding and belief, and not as a result of any miracle. G-d only made Himself known to Avraham after Avraham had concluded G-d existed. According to midrashic Jewish writings, Avraham discovered G-d after examining the gods that people worshipped at the time and concluding that there had to be a power that was more powerful than all of them. 3
Avraham was so certain that One G-d existed that he was prepared to rebel against his father for his beliefs. His father was so incensed that he wished for Avraham to be killed, but Avraham was miraculously saved from death. According to Jewish tradition, Avraham s father later repented and converted to Avraham s monotheistic view of G-d. Jewish commentators explain that Avraham was tested by G-d ten times. Most suggest that this was a way to find out Avraham s commitment to G-d. The commentators differ in what the ten tests were, but they all include G-d telling him to leave his homeland, performing a Brit Milah on himself at the age of 99, and the Akeidah (command to sacrifice Yitzchak). The Akeidah is a central event in Jewish history. Avraham was prepared to sacrifice Yitzchak on G-d s orders even though it went against every belief and idea Avraham held and thought G-d wanted. In the end, at the last minute G-d told Avraham not to sacrifice Yitzchak. This story is read every Rosh Hashanah as it ended with Avraham sacrificing a ram instead of Yitzchak (the ram s horn is sounded on Rosh Hashanah). Avraham is known for his outstanding quality of hospitality. It is said that his tent had openings in all four sides so that no-one could pass by without Avraham seeing and being able to offer hospitality. Avraham is known for his trait of saying a little and doing a lot. This is shown when the angels visited him. Avraham, unaware of their true identity, offered them a little bread to eat and water to drink, but ensured that a full meal including milk and meat was served. Avraham is believed by Jews and others to be the father of all monotheistic nations. His influence on the world s history is therefore immense. Avraham has two titles in Jewish thought that reflects his importance. He is known as Avraham Avinu (meaning Avraham our father) reflecting his standing as the father of all Jews. He is also known as Avraham Ha-Ivri (meaning Avraham the other). The word Ivri comes from the word Ever which means the other side. This reflects the idea that Avraham stood on the opposite side in his beliefs while the world believed in polytheism, Avraham stood firm in his belief in monotheism. Attitudes towards The Promised Land As mentioned above, the Land of Israel is central to the Jewish faith. Even though Jews have not always controlled the Land, there has been a Jewish presence there continuously. For many Jews, the attachment to the Promised Land has remained through thick and thin. This is shown in several ways: 4
When the Jews were forcibly expelled from the Land, their response was to include a prayer in the Amidah said three times daily about the rebuilding and return to Jerusalem. The Grace after Meals prayer includes a request to G-d to rebuild Jerusalem which equates physical satisfaction with spiritual satisfaction. Wherever Jews pray they will face in the general direction of Israel. In Israel they will face Jerusalem. In Jerusalem they will face the Har Habayit (where the Temple stood). Moving to live in Israel is called Aliyah meaning Going Up. This is reflective of the idea that, for a Jew, simply living in Israel brings you to a higher level. Different attitudes to the State and Land of Israel However, at this point it is important to note that the Land of Israel and the State of Israel are two different things, even if they are the same geography. Supporting the State of Israel is called Zionism, and although all Orthodox Jews support the concept of the Land of Israel, they are not all Zionists. Conversely, some non-orthodox Jews feel that the idea of a Land of Israel is not as important today as it once was. Orthodox attitudes Orthodox Jewish belief maintains that when the Messiah comes, Jews will once again live in peace and security in the Land of Israel with a rebuilt Temple. Where Orthodox groups differ is how to deal with a Jewish state that is not set up with the Messiah. Modern Orthodox Jews see the State of Israel as a stepping-stone to the Messiah, and see G-d s hand in modern history. Ultra Orthodox Jews may not support the State of Israel because they see it as a block to the Messiah because it is not a religious state, and many religious laws are not part of Israeli law. Non-Orthodox attitudes Non Orthodox Jewish groups may believe that the Messianic era consists of Jews and non-jews will live peacefully together, which doesn t necessarily need all Jews living in the Land of Israel in the type of Messianic age that Orthodox belief states. For this reason, the Land of Israel may not play as important a part in their religious outlook. Nevertheless, Non Orthodox Jews will support the State of Israel as being a Jewish state being accepted and existing alongside the rest of the world. 5
Secular attitudes Secular Jews do not have any religious motivation. For this reason, the Biblical Land of Israel is not important. However, many secular Jews will support the State of Israel as a place for a cultural or political Jewish country. A number of secular Jews will oppose the State of Israel for political reasons. 6
Things to do 1. Make a list of key words/vocabulary from this unit. Be sure to include vocabulary that is new to you. 2. Draw out the family tree of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya akov. Show through this how Jews explain that The Promised Land was promised to them. 3. Look at the source of wisdom below from Devarim (Deuteronomy) chapter 11. Explain how The Promised Land is used as a) a reward and b) a punishment. Explain how Jewish history may be seen to prove this. 4. In which daily tefillah do we say the words from Devarim chapter 11? Why do you think that it is necessary to repeat these words daily? 5. Explain the significance of the covenant of Brit Milah. 6. Avraham discovered G-d through a process of thought, understanding and belief, and not as a result of any miracle. G-d only made Himself known to Avraham after Avraham had concluded G-d existed. Why does this make Avraham unique? 7. Imagine that you received a message to leave your home and everything you knew to go somewhere you didn t know. How difficult would this be? Make a list of what you might miss. 8. A pupil from a non-jewish school has written to Immanuel College to ask you to explain how Jews view Israel. Write an answer fully explaining different views in your own words, and end the reply stating and justifying your own personal viewpoint. You must refer to at least three sources of wisdom in your reply. 7
Sources of Wisdom Source 1 And G-d said to Abram, "Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you. (Bereishit ch 12:1) Source 2 ו י אמ ר ה' א ל אב ר ם ל ך ל ך מ אר צ ך ומ מ ול ד ת ך ומ ב ית אב י ך א ל ה אר ץ א ש ר אר א ך : There were 10 generations from Noach to Avraham to show how patient G-d is, for all those generations increasingly provoked Him, until Avraham our father came and and received the reward which could have been theirs. (Pirkei Avot Ethics of the Fathers 5:3) Source 3 Avraham our father was tested with ten trials and he passed all of them, to show how deep was Avraham our father s love for G-d. (Pirkei Avot Ethics of the Fathers 5:4) Source 4 If you listen to My commandments I will give rain in your land in its season and you will eat and be satisfied Be careful in case your heart is tempted and you go astray and worship other gods He will close the heavens and there will not be rain. The land will not grow crops, and you will perish swiftly from the good land that G-d is giving you. (Deuteronomy chapter 11) Source 5 Rabbi Jeremiah the son of Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, whoever walks four cubits in the Land of Israel is assured of a place in the World to Come. (Talmud) Source 6 And it shall come to pass on that day, that a great shofar shall be sounded, and those lost in the land of Assyria and those exiled in the land of Egypt shall come and they shall prostrate themselves before the L-rd on the holy mount in Jerusalem. ו ה י ה ב י ום ה ה וא י ת ק ע ב ש ופ ר ג ד ול וב א ו ה א ב ד ים ב א ר ץ א ש ור ו ה נ ד ח ים ב א ר ץ מ צ ר י ם ו ה ש ת ח ו ו ל יה ו ה ב ה ר ה ק ד ש ב יר וש ל ם: (prophecy from Isaiah 27:13) 8