Chukas

The Gemara states: one who sees the Ma’abros Nachal Arnon needs to give praise and thanksgiving to Hashem for a miracle which happened there. The Gemara asks, what was the nes that Yisrael experienced in this place? It is hinted at in a passuk in this week’s Parasha as it states, “את והב בסופה” which refers to Es and Hav who were two metzora’im that went along Yisrael at the end of the camp. When Bnei Yisrael were traveling the Emori’im came and dug out caves on the sides of the mountain to hide in. They said, “When Yisrael will pass through this valley we will kill them.” The Gemara points out that they did not know that the Aron went before Bnei Yisrael and flattened out the mountains for them. The Aron preceded Yisrael and the two mountains on both sides of the valley came together to squash and kill the Emori’im. Their blood flowed out from the mountains toward Nachal Arnon. When the two metzora’im came by they saw the blood flowing and told Bnei Yisrael. Then Bnei Yisrael recognized the incredible miracle and sang shira. The Emori’im tried to kill out Bnei Yisrael from above but Hashem miraculously saved them. Therefore, when one passes that place, he needs to say praise and thanksgiving to Hashem.

Rashi writes that when Bnei Yisrael came to cross the valley, the mountain of Eretz Yisrael moved close to the side of the mountain of Moav to crush the Emori’im. This is hinted at in the passuk which states, “אשר נטה לשבת ער ונשען לגבול מואב, the mountains of Emori moved towards Or, and leaned toward the boundary of Moav.” Rav Yonasan David pointed out that the miracle specifically happened with the Eretz Yisrael mountains. The mountains did not move towards each other nor did Mount Moav move towards Mount Emor. Rather, the mountains of the holy land of Eretz Yisrael moved towards Chutz La’aretz. Eretz Yisrael is the land in which Hashem performs nissim.

Similarly, in kriyas Shema we recite, “if you listen…I will give you the rain of your land in the appointed time.” One might wonder, what is the connection between doing mitzvos and it raining? If I will work then I will earn a livelihood and make money, however how will it rain if I do mitzvos? Hashem put into the nature of the world these unusual miracles in the holy land of Eretz Yisrael where Hashem is found and closest to us. Here is where we perform mitzvos and Hashem in return does nissim for us.

May Hashem return His Shechina and once again experience the world as was meant to be without natural confinements!