Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

I once heard it said that the land of Israel does not belong to the people of Israel. Rather, the people of Israel belongs to the land of Israel. This notion stems from the Torah's teachings that the land of Israel requires that its residents live according to a prescribed moral and religious code. If the code of behavior is neglected, the land may choose to oust its residents. This line of thinking is consistent with Biblical theology.

In this week's portion of Bhar, the Torah makes its message clear: "for the land is Mine; you are but strangers resident with me (Leviticus 25:23)."  The Etz Hayim Torah commentary adds, "Even the Israelites are but God's tenants, resident aliens in the Land. Only if they live up to the terms of the Covenant will they endure there."

The ancient law about the Jubilee year meant that in every fifty years, land reverted to its original owner. While there is scholarly debate as to whether this law was ever operative, its purpose was to teach that all the earth and all of its inhabitants belong to God. 

Psalm 24 begins, "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains; the world and its inhabitants." It is recited as the daily Psalm for Sunday, which commemorates the first day of creation. It is also recited on weekdays, when the Torah scroll is returned to the Holy Ark. 

In our Scripture and in our prayers, we affirm and acknowledge that all land belongs to God. We humans are tenants and are instructed to care for the earth and to uphold God's moral and religious teachings.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison