Sefer Bamidbar begins and concludes with what appears to be two different images of Klal Yisroel. The sefer starts with the elaborate description of the temporary encampment in the desert. Everything revolves around the Mishkan. The inner camp of Levi’im and outer one of Yisra’elim surround the Mishkan. Meticulous care is given as to how to dismantle and transport the Mishkan. Much of parshas Naso is dedicated to the dedication of the Mishkan. The nesi’im are the ones who represent their tribes for the joyous celebration of chanukas haMishkan.
As we read the end of sefer Bamidbar there is a switch of emphasis from the temporary traveling Mishkan to the permanent state of being in Eretz Yisroel. Yet, many of the themes of life surrounding the Mishkan appear in parshas Masei concerning Eretz Yisroel, albeit in different manifestations. Unlike the transient borders of the moving Mishkan, the permanent boundaries of Eretz Yisroel are established. Levi’im and Yisra’elim areas are designated, but unlike in the Mishkan, permanent cities for Levi’im are set up. The nesi’im once again have a central role as the representatives of the people. In parshas Masei they are the ones who assist in dividing the land into permanent portions for every individual. They are no longer only involved in the inauguration of the temporary structure of the Mishkan.
Emerging from these two images of the Mishkan and Eretz Yisroel is the idea that what the Mishkan was supposed to accomplish on a temporary basis would become permanent upon entering Eretz Yisroel. We think of the Beis Hamikdash as the permanent succession to the Mishkan. What is the role of Eretz Yisroel as the continuation of the Mishkan?
The Mishkan and later the Beis Hamikdash had two distinct roles. They were the center of avodas haKorbanos as well as of talmud Torah. The halacha requires that the Sanhedrin sit in the Beis Hamikdash next to the mizbeach to highlight that these dual roles merge together. “לשכנו תדרשו - you should search out Hashem's presence” encompasses the essence of the Mikdash. It is this proximity to Hashem that enables this relationship. Hashem allows us to approach Him through avodah and He responds to us by sharing with us His Torah. Within kedushas haMikdash there are different gradations of sanctity. The mishna in Keilim lists ten distinct areas which are endowed with different degrees of holiness. The last of these areas is Eretz Yisroel. The meforshim note that by placing Eretz Yisroel in the context of kedushas haMikdash, Chazal are highlighting that Eretz Yisroel is an extension of Mikdash.
Although actual korbanos are not brought outside of the Beis Hamikdash, we see that Eretz Yisroel, as part of the Mikdash, has unique qualities of avodah. Even in chutz la’aretz one faces Eretz Yisroel as our tefilos, which correspond to korbanos, are directed to the area in which the Shechina is present. “ארץ אשר עיני ה' אלוקיך בה”, the land on which Hashem’s eyes are focused on.
As an extension of makom haMikdash, we know Eretz Yisroel is the source of talmud Torah for the entire world. This is reflected in the halachos that govern semicha. The original semicha that was the formal transmission of Torah from Moshe to Yehoshua and then to subsequent generations can only be conferred in Eretz Yisroel. Only those who receive semicha are eligible to judge in many areas of halacha such as cases concerning דיני קנסות - penalties, and קידוש החודש– declaring Rosh Chodesh. Because this semicha can only be conferred in Eretz Yisroel, eventually this semicha process ended as the Jewish community in Eretz Yisroel diminished after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash.
Another dimension of Torah that is limited to Eretz Yisroel is the declaration of Rosh Chodesh and subsequently the establishment of yomim tovim. Only a beis din in Eretz Yisroel is authorized to decide when Rosh Chodesh will occur. Even today when Rosh Chodesh is established based on a set calendar, Eretz Yisroel has a central role. The Rambam teaches us that it is the Jewish community of Eretz Yisroel that follows the calendar established by the last functioning beis din for קידוש החודש in Eretz Yisroel that “declares” Rosh Chodesh for the entire world.
These two aspects of Torah, conferring semicha and establishing the yomim tovim emanate from the Beis Hamikdash.
Chazal saw in these two areas of halacha a fulfillment of the words of Yeshayahu, “כי מציון תצא תורה ודבר ה’ מירושלים”, that Eretz Yisroel as the outermost section of the Beis Hamikdash is integral to the spread of dvar Hashem. The tradition beginning at Har Sinai and the yomim tovim cycle are dependent upon Eretz Yisroel.
The sanctity of Eretz Yisroel that emanates from the Beis Hamikdash has its original roots in Har Sinai. The Ramban in his introduction to Vayikra explains that the Har Sinai experience would be replicated in the Beis Hamikdash. We come to the Beis Hamikdash to be in close proximity to the luchos in the aron housed in the kodesh haKodoshim to reenact standing at Har Sinai. Just as we offered korbanos at Har Sinai celebrating our relationship with Hashem, we return to that kedusha that is housed in the Beis Hamikdash and rekindle our closeness to Hashem. The Beis Hamikdash serves as a permanent manifestation of “תעבורון את האלוקים על ההר הזה - serving Hashem through Torah and korbanos on Har Sinai. Throughout Eretz Yisroel we are granted the special gift to reconnect with the Divine Presence that we encountered at Har Sinai. We have a unique opportunity for talmud Torah and avodas Hashem through tefilah corresponding to korbanos.
As we mourn the loss of the Beis Hamikdash and eagerly anticipate its rebuilding, we are so grateful to Hashem for the gift in our days of Eretz Yisroel. We hope to merit to continue to serve Hashem through Torah and tefilah especially in Eretz Yisroel. We turn to Hashem to watch over the great treasure of Eretz Yisroel He has granted us. May Hashem protect the soldiers who guard Eretz Yisroel and continue to bless them as they enable all of Klal Yisroel to live safely in our beloved land of Torah and avodas Hashem. May we merit to see the end of all the troubles of Klal Yisroel including the return of the hostages and genuine peace in Eretz Yisroel. We hope to see this Tisha B’Av transformed to become the great yom tov celebrating the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash and the fulfillment in the fullest sense.
כי מציון תצא תורה ודבר ה’ מירושלים
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