Chumash, as mandated by the mishna in Pirkei Avos ("ben chamesh lemikra"), is the first course of study for Jewish children. The reason for this is that chumash is the basis for all subsequent study, and on its most basic, exoteric level can be grasped even by young children. Unfortunately, we erroneously conclude that the study of chumash , rachmana letzlan, is a simple, even simplistic endeavor. Accordingly, our study of parshas ha-shavua (shnayim mikra veechad targum) is ofttimes swift and superficial. The inevitable result of our underestimation and neglect of chumash is that we fail to mine countless pearls of wisdom.
Consider the following case in point drawn from this week's parsha. The pasuk, "You will eat and you will be satisfied, and bless Hashem, your God, for the good Land that He gave you," is immediately recognized and subsequently dismissed as merely providing the source for the mitzva d'oraisa of Bircas HaMazon. While this superficial understanding is indubitably correct, it is also woefully inadequate. A careful, thoughtful study of the pasuk and its context, however, yields profound wisdom.
The aforementioned pasuk, " You will eat, etc., "is itself highly suggestive. Having eaten and become satiated is surely an occasion for bracha, but why does that bracha focus on Eretz Yisroel ? How is Eretz Yisroel relevant to the plentiful repast enjoyed elsewhere?
The context of the aforementioned pasuk is equally suggestive.
For Hashem, your G-d, is bringing you to a good land ... a land of wheat, barely, grape, fig, and pomegranate; a land of oil-olives and date-honey; a land where you will eat bread without poverty ... you will eat and you will be satisfied, and bless Hashem, your G-d, for the good land that He gave you.
Why is the mitzva of Birkas HaMazon (Grace After Meals) framed by a glowing desciption of Eretz Yisroel and its bounty?
Towards the end of this week's Parsha the Torah again describes Eretz Yisroel, underscoring its uniqueness. "A land that Hashem, your G-d, seeks out". Ramban, citing the Sifrei, explains that Hakadosh Baruch Hu seeks out and blesses Eretz Yisroel; the rest of the world is sustained from the blessing bestowed upon and channeled through Eretz Yisroel.
In light of the above, the Torah's presentation of Mitzvas Birkas Hamazon shines brilliantly. When one has enjoyed Hashem's benefaction - eating to the point of satisfaction, he is required to thank Hashem for the singular gift of Eretz Yisroel in which merit he received and enjoyed this benefaction. Any bracha we enjoy anywhere in the world can be traced back to Eretz Yisroel, "a land of wheat, barely, etc." And thus when, "you will eat and you will be satisfied", it is incumbent upon you to "bless Hashem, your G-d, for the good land that He gave you".
Postscript: The doctrine of the centrality of Eretz Yisroel resonates especially powerfully and poignantly in our day. In addition to the profound existential empathy we should feel with our bretheren in Eretz Yisroel who heroically safeguard Eretz Yisroel and suffer for the sake of Kelal Yisroel, we also need to realize that the crisis of these soul-trying times engulfs us all wherever we reside. "A land that Hashem, your G-d, seeks out"; as Eretz Yisroel goes, so go world Jewry and the entire world! [Editor's note: this postscript was written before Thursday's bombing tragedy in Jerusalem.]