"And I will bring you unto the land for which I have taken an oath to give it to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage. I am the Lord." (Shmot 6, 8)

In this week's portion of the Torah reading the expression "Morasha" - "heritage" is used in regard to Eretz Yisrael as given to our forefathers.

Accordingly, we find in the commentary of Rabbi Bechaya Ben Asher (about 700 years ago) the following insight:

"This (the use of the term 'morasha') serves as an omen for the people of Israel. For from the time of our exile from the land no other nation has been able to settle it; and she remains barren and desolate waiting for her 'chicks' (the people of Israel) to return to her."

Similarly about 100 years ago Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (HaNatziv) of Voloshin, explaining the same expression ('morasha') in his "HaAmek Davar" commentary on the Torah wrote as follows:

"Not only during the times that Am Yisrael will dwell in the land will she belong to you but even when exiled she will still remain your inheritance - just as one who was separated from his fathers land - his thoughts continuously wander there, hoping that with the grace of the Almighty he will be able to return to it. In this very same way Eretz Yisrael remains your permanent possession forever."

These sources express in unequivocal terms that according to the Torah the legitimate rights of title to the land of Israel belong exclusively to the Jewish people as an eternal inheritance received from the Creator.

Yet one may ask why was this message given in the Torah with the use of the term "Morasha" (heritage) and not "Yerusha" (inheritance) which implies automatic possession without any effort - similar to a gift.

Our suggestion is that perhaps the Torah was interested in projecting an additional message - the demand that the fathers in every generation make practical and educational endeavors to ensure that this particular land is given over and remains in the hands of the following generation.

The Jewish pioneers who came back to the land of Israel from the beginning of the current century made tremendous practical efforts to ensure that their descendants will be able to posses this land; however, the educational effort was lacking and thus we find ourselves today in a very precarious situation in regard to our future hold on the land.

Further notice should be taken that only two items in all of the Chumash were defined by the title "Morasha": "Eretz Yisrael" (in our portion) and "Torah" (Devarim 33, 4). This phenomenon seems to suggest that these two entities can not be isolated without causinsg mutual destruction. Such was the explanation given by the Chofetz Chaim:

"Torah and Eretz Yisrael are among the specific acquisitions acquired by the Lord Himself in His world. The two relate, one to the other, just as the soul (the Torah) relates to the body (Eretz Yisrael). The soul without the body cannot exist in this world and so too, the body without the soul." (Chofetz Chaim on the Torah Parshat Bo)

We may also add that just as Eretz Yisrael needs vigorous action and educational endeavors on the part of Jewish parents for the sake of their offspring, as expressed above; so too the Torah, being also a heritage that must be passed on from one generation to the next by means of strong practical and educational efforts.

This is consistent with our Sages pronouncement that "Eretz Yisrael niknais b'yisurim" - the Land of Israel

Rabbi Shalom Horowitz

Rabbi Horowitz is a Rav Mechanech at the Ulpana Girls Academy - Kiryat Arba

Please address your questions or comments to the Ulpana Girls Academy - Kiryat Arba