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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 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
