The Torah tells us that Eretz Yisroel is protected by a special
hashgachas pratis. “Eretz Asher Hashem Elokecha Doireish Oisah, Tamid
Einei Hashem Elokecha Ba”; a land which Hashem your G-d seeks, His eyes
are always on it” (Devarim 11:12).
During the Gulf War in 1991, R’ Menachem Tzvi Berlin, the Rosh Yeshivah
of Rabbeinu Chayim Ozer brought up a question which the Vilna Goan
addressed in his Kol Eliyahu. Why doesn’t the Gemara ask where the nes
of Chanukah is found in the Torah like it does regarding the nes of
Purim? The Gra answers that it’s not necessary to inquire about the
nes of Chanukah, because the nissim that the Maccabim experienced
occurred in Eretz Yisroel, where nissim are not unusual occurrences.
The nes of Purim, however, occurred outside Eretz Yisroel, and that
invokes a question. (Aleineu Leshabeach)
When the shevatim sought to kill Yosef, Reuven tried to save him by
suggesting that they throw him into a pit instead. However, the pit
was full of snakes and scorpions, and under natural circumstances would
have been an immediate death sentence. Despite, this fact, Reuven was
credited with saving Yosef’s life. Yehudah who initiated removing
Yosef from the pit to sell him as a slave was not praised for what he
did. In fact, the Gemara says that one who praises Yehudah for what he
did angers Hashem. Rav Chaim of Volozhin explains that despite the
fact that the pit was a potential deathtrap, it was located in Eretz
Yisroel. Yehudah may have saved Yosef from the pit, but he caused him
to leave Eretz Yisroel. Rav Chaim of Volzhin concludes that it’s far
better to stay in Eretz Yisroel in a pit full of snakes and scorpions
that to live of outside Eretz Yisroel.
Eretz Yisroel is the safest place in the world, even when surrounded by and swarming with poisonous snakes!
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