P arshas Behar–Bechukosai
“The land shall not be sold permanently for the land belongs to Me for you are strangers and [temporary] residents with Me.” (Vayikra 25:23)
Dovid Hamelech writes in Tehillim (115:16): “And the land was given to man.” The Seforno explains that Eretz Yisrael isn’t included in what was divided among the countries of the world: Eretz Yisrael remains the portion of Hashem forever.
However wasn’t Eretz Yisrael given to Avraham Avinu as an inheritance for his children?
Am Yisrael’s possession of Eretz Yisrael is different from land belonging to other nations. It’s not unconditional — it’s dependent on our actions while living there. Utilizing the ownership of our inheritance comes only in the merit of living according to Torah. Capturing the land with force isn’t included in the promise that it’ll stay with us. (Rav Menachem Mann Shach Meirosh Amanah)
