Noach

Eretz Yisrael in the Torah

THE FLOOD AND ERETZ YISRAEL What connection could there possibly be between this parashah and the Holy Land?  Seemingly, the flood affected the entire world, as the verse says, Everything that was on dry land died (7:22).  Furthermore, this is essentially a universal parashah.  It deals mainly with the father of mankind (hence, the seven…

Beresheis

Eretz Yisrael in the Torah

TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL In addition to the explicit references to Eretz Yisrael found in this week’s parashah, there is at least one hidden reference.  When enumerating the four river-branches that issue forth from Eden, the Torah states:  The name of the first is Pishon; that is the one that encircles the whole land of Chavillah,…