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Beit Midrash
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Rav Yisraeli (Eretz Hemdah I:I:5) has a fascinating explanation – that the Rambam included the mitzva in another one, found in Parashat Eikev. The Torah speaks with great enthusiasm of the blessings of Eretz Yisrael – a land of wheat and dates, hills and wellsprings, copper and iron (Devarim 8:7-9). Then, it concludes: "You shall eat and be satiated, and you shall thank Hashem for the good Land that He gave you" (ibid. 10). This pasuk, of course, is the source for Birkat Hamazon (bentching).
Rav Yisraeli points out the obvious question: during Birkat Hamazon we thank Hashem for the food whether it was grown/raised in Eretz Yisrael or elsewhere, so what does it have to do with the Land? If one looks at the berachot of bentching, we see that the first beracha stresses our thanks to Hashem for the sustenance, whatever its source; the second beracha stresses the Land as a place from where the food classically comes; and the third beracha is focused on Yerushalayim and what makes it great (Mikdash, Davidic dynasty) (see Berachot 48b).
Rav Yisraeli views this mitzva as a mitzva of hakarat hatov for the two, only tangentially related things that are mentioned in this pasuk – food (from wherever) and Eretz Yisrael as a place to live. We show our gratitude for the food by reciting Birkat Hamazon. The way to show appreciation for the Land Hashem gave us is first and foremost by living there. Not living there is a way of making a joke of our claim of appreciation. (One could argue that you show appreciation for the food by eating it, but even those who do not appreciate Hashem’s bounty can eat quite well.) Therefore, says Rav Yisraeli, the mitzva of living in Eretz Yisrael does not need to be listed as a separate mitzva to be considered a mitzva from the Torah. It is subsumed under the mitzva to appreciate Eretz Yisrael.
One can ask several questions about whether this idea is THE explanation of the Rambam’s omission of this central mitzva (this is not my point). However, the ideas are a great opportunity to think about it while bentching. There is a special interaction between being thankful for the food and the Land (especially for those of us who merit eating the fruits of the Land while enjoying living here). Those who can make aliya and do not should consider the appropriate tension between being thankful for the present of the Land and not having serious aliya plans or at least hopes. I remember hearing Rav Druckman wonder out loud how fine Jews in galut can pray with apparent kavana for the ingathering of the exile and still not consider making aliya themselves. Some people may have answers; the best answer is … aliya.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.