“To give you the land of Canaan, to be G-d unto you”
(Vayikra 25:38)
Rashi explains: Whoever resides in Eretz Yisrael, I am a G-d to him.
Beloved is Eretz Yisrael, for it atones for all sins and transgressions (Masechet Geirim 84).
Hashem told Moshe, “This land is beloved to Me, as the pasuk states (Devarim 11), ‘A Land that Hashem, your G-d, seeks out.’ Yisrael are beloved to Me, as the pasuk states (ibid, 7), ‘Because of Hashem’s love for you.’ I will bring Yisrael, who are beloved to Me, into the Land which is beloved to Me, as it says, ‘For you are entering the Land of Canaan.’” (Bamidbar Rabbah, Masei 23).
How beloved is Eretz Yisrael, the place chosen by Hashem! When He created the world, He divided all the lands among the nations and chose Eretz Yisrael for Himself. This is the land our ancestors desired. Regarding Avraham, we are told that he asked (Bereishit 15), “Hashem Elokim, whereby shall I know that I am to inherit it?” Regarding Yitzchak, Hashem promised him (ibid, 26), “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your offspring will I give all these lands.” Yaakov, likewise, cherished this land, as he said (ibid, 28), “If G-d will be with me… and I return in peace to my father’s house.”
Rabbi Yehudah says that Moshe also loved the Land, as he entreated Hashem numerous times to be allowed to enter it, as he said (Devarim 3), “I implored Hashem… Let me now cross and see the good Land…” David, too, loved the Land, as he attested (Tehillim 84), “I prefer to stand at the threshold of my G-d’s house.” The Midrash (Re’eh 8) explains the unusual use of the word הסתופף (stand at the threshold): David said, “Ribbono shel Olam! Even were I to have a beautiful palace in chutz la’aretz and only a threshold in the Holy Land, I would prefer the land cherished by my forefathers” (Midrash Tanchuma, Re’eh 8).
See how greatly Hashem cherished Eretz Yisrael, it is equivalent to the whole Creation (Yalkut Shimoni, Parashat Eikev, 247).
The Gemara records the incident of Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua and Rabbi Yochanan HaSandlar who went to Netzivin (outside of Eretz Yisrael) in order to study under the tutelage of Rabbi Yehudah ben Beteira. When they reached Sidon, they were overcome with longing for Eretz Yisrael. They began weeping copiously and rent their garments in anguish. They read the pasuk, “And you will possess it and dwell in it and you shall observe and perform them (the mitzvot).” They said, “Living in Eretz Yisrael is compared to keeping all of the mitzvot.” They returned home (Yalkut Shimoni, Parashat Re’eh).
Living in Eretz Yisrael is equivalent to keeping all of the mitzvot in the Torah (Midrash Tanna’im, Devarim 12).
Our Chachamim say that one who lives in chutz la’aretz is considered as one who does not have a G-d, for countries abroad are under the dominion of the stars and angels of the nations. Hashem has granted each of the seventy nations a separate angel, which rules their property, as well. When Bnei Yisrael are in the Diaspora, all of the Torah they learn and the mitzvot they do first ascend to the angel of the nation among whom they live. He enjoys them somewhat, before transferring them to Hashem. This intermediary causes dwelling in chutz la’aretz to be similar to serving foreign gods, chas v’shalom. But one who lives in Eretz Yisrael serves Hashem directly (Petach Einayim LaChida, Ketubot 110b).
