And you shall possess it and dwell in it (Deut. 11:31)
The very next verse continues: "And you shall take care to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day." From this we learn that the mitzva to dwell in the Land of Israel is considered equal to all of the Torah's commandments. (Sifrei)
But when you go over the Jordan, and live in the land the L-rd your G-d gives you to inherit, and when He gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety (Deut. 12:10)
At first glance this verse appears redundant. If G-d gives us rest from all our enemies, wouldn't we automatically enjoy security and protection? However, with these words the Torah is offering us surefire advice: If you want G-d to take care of all your enemies, make sure that "you live in safety" within your own camp. When Jews are united and cohesive rather than divided into separate factions and groups, they have nothing to fear from their adversaries, as our Sages said: "If Israel were one cohesive unit, no nation or tongue would have power over them." (Gelilei Zahav)
Reprinted from the Parashat Re’eh 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim.
