A land where you will lack nothing

In Parshat Ekev (Dvarim 7:9) the following words about the Land of Israel stand out: “… A land where you will lack nothing…”

Sifre (Dvarim, Piska 37), asks: Why the Land of Israel is called tevel (Mishlei 8:26)?

The answer is that every country possesses certain unique qualities that others lack, but the Land of Israel lacks nothing and contains within it the virtues of them all. Therefore, it is described as “a land in which you will lack nothing,” because it is complete and deficient in nothing. The Land of Israel is literally spiced with everything.

In the Talmud (Pesachim 8b) Rav Avin bar Rav Adda said in the name of Rav Yitzchak: “For what reason do the fruits of Ginosar not grow in Jerusalem? So that the holiday pilgrims who ascended to Jerusalem for the festivals would not say, ‘Had we ascended only to eat the fruit of Ginosar in Jerusalem, it would have been worthwhile.’ If that were the case, their pilgrimage would not have been solely for the sake of Heaven.”

Similarly, Rav Dostai the son of Rav Yannai said: “For what reason are the hot springs of Teveriya not in Jerusalem? So that the holiday pilgrims will not say: ‘Had we ascended only to bathe in the hot springs of Teveriya, it would have been worthwhile.’ Their pilgrimage would be found to have been performed not for its own sake.”

Israel has everything, spirituality in Jerusalem, ski slopes on Mount Hermon, snorkeling in Elat, beaches along the coast, deserts in the Negev etc. In one week you can have a multifaceted vacation that one would not be able to have anywhere else. We also produce an amazing variety of foods including fruits and vegetables and kosher wines and cheeses.

Those who visit Israel see with their own eyes that the land lacks nothing.