Eikev

The parsha speaks about the praises of Eretz Yisrael and contrasts it with Mitzrayim. Eretz Yisrael is watered with rain from the heavens whereas in the land of Mitzrayim you have to bring the water by foot to the fields, similar to watering a vegetable garden. Rashi explains: Mitzrayim was irrigated by the Nile River which provided water. One needed to carry water from the river, or the irrigated ditches, by foot and on his shoulder to the field, causing him to toil and to lack sleep. Also, only the low places would have water, but the higher places did not, and one needed to put in extra effort to bring up water. In Eretz Yisrael however, while one is sound asleep Hashem makes it rain and waters both the low and high lands, without putting in any effort at all. We see that the system of watering land in Eretz Yisrael is better than in Mitzrayim.

However in Parshas Devorim, when the Bnei Yisrael rebelled and did not want to go up into Eretz Yisrael they said, “בשנאת ה’ אותנו הוציאנו מארץ מצרים” “because Hashem hated us He took us out of Mitzrayim.” Rashi explains this with a mashal; a king of flesh and blood had two sons and two fields, one irrigated and one watered by rain. The king gave the irrigated field to the son that he loved, and the field watered by rain, he gave to the one whom he hated. So too Bnei Yisrael complained: Mitzrayim was irrigated by the Nile River which rose up and watered the land, whereas Eretz Yisrael was watered by rain. Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim to give us Eretz Yisrael! This mashal makes it seem that Mitzrayim was indeed better than Eretz Yisrael. How do we reconcile Rashi’s mashal with the pesukim in our parsha?

The key to the answer is one’s level of belief. Eretz Yisrael is a better land to live in then Mitzrayim because Hashem guarantees that it will rain and there will not be any need to put in the physical effort of watering the fields. After contrasting Mitzrayim and Eretz Yisrael the passuk states: “והיה אם שמוע… ונתתי מטר ארצכם בעתו,” “And if you will listen to My mitzvos…. then I will supply the rain of your land in its time.” Although one doesn’t see the water he knows it will come. We, who believe Hashem’s promise, are in the best situation, to have rain while asleep, saving all the physical effort of watering the low and high fields. However, Mitzrayim had a better set up for those who do not fully believe. They need their supply of water to be seen constantly before their eyes, with the Nile River available. Although it requires a lot of physical effort, it is worth it to feel secure. In Eretz Yisrael however, one who does not fully believe, will not feel secure. He will always worry- will there be rain to water the crops? Therefore, Bnei Yisrael complained in the desert: Eretz Yisrael does not have its rain supply before us to see and feel secure, whereas Mitzrayim had the Nile available at all times.

May we recognize that all is dependent on Hashem, and He is the one constantly takes care of our needs.