The Connection Between Emunah, Eretz Yisrael, and Shabbos

In our prayers, specifically in “Vicharos Imo Habris,” we recite profound words that reveal a deep connection between faith (Emunah), the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), and Shabbos. Let’s delve into these words and explore their significance.

A Declaration of Hashem’s Sovereignty

The prayer begins with a declaration of Hashem’s unparalleled sovereignty: אַתָּה־הוּא יְהֹוָה לְבַדֶּךָ, אַתָּה עָשִׂיתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְכָל־צְבָאָם, הָאָרֶץ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר עָלֶיהָ הַיַּמִּים וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, וְאַתָּה מְחַיֶּה אֶת־כֻּלָּם וּצְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם לְךָ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים: You are the Hashem (God) alone; You made the heavens, the highest heavens and all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to them all, and the multitudes of heaven bow down to You. (Nechemiah 9:6)

This opening establishes that Hashem is The Creator of everything, affirming His ultimate authority over the entire universe.

Choosing Avraham and the Gift of Eretz Yisrael

The prayer continues: אַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתָּ בְּאַבְרָם וְהוֹצֵאתוֹ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים וְשַׂמְתָּ שְׁמוֹ אַבְרָהָם: וּמָצָאתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ נֶאֱמָן לְפָנֶיךָ You are God, The Elokim (Source of all Powers), who chose Abram, brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, and changed his name to Abraham. You found his heart faithful before You. (Nechemiah 9:7-8)

Hashem chose Avraham for his unwavering faith and made a covenant with him: וְכָרוֹת עִמּוֹ הַבְּרִית לָתֵת אֶת־אֶרֶץ הַכְּנַעֲנִי הַחִתִּי הָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁי לָתֵת לְזַרְעוֹ. וַתָּקֶם אֶת־דְּבָרֶיךָ כִּי צַדִּיק אָתָּה. You made a covenant with him to give his descendants the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites. You have kept Your promise because You are righteous. (Nechemiah 9:8)

This passage highlights that the gift of Eretz Yisrael is directly linked to the Emunah (faith) that Hashem found in Avraham’s heart.

Emunah and the Right to the Land

Rashi, in his commentary on the first verse of the Torah, emphasizes the connection between Hashem as Creator and the Jewish people’s right to Eretz Yisrael. The Torah begins with creation to affirm that the entire world belongs to Hashem, and He alone has the authority to grant the land to whomever He chooses. This is our response to any claims against our right to the land: Hashem, The Creator of all, chose to give it to us.

The Manna and Emunah

The concept of Emunah is further reinforced with the giving of the Manna: וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה הִנְנִי מַמְטִיר לָכֶם לֶחֶם מִן־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְיָצָא הָעָם וְלָקְטוּ דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ לְמַעַן אֲנַסֶּנּוּ הֲיֵלֵךְ בְּתוֹרָתִי אִם־לֹא. Then Hashem said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way, I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” (Exodus 16:4)

The Manna served as a daily test of faith, teaching the Jewish people to rely on Hashem for their sustenance. This training in Emunah was essential for receiving Eretz Yisrael.

Mastering the Craft of Relying on Hashem

Emunah is not just a passive belief; it is an active, ongoing practice of relying on Hashem in every aspect of life. Avraham exemplified this by mastering the craft of living with complete trust in Hashem. His life was a continuous demonstration of Emunah, influencing his actions and decisions, and this profound trust is what led Hashem to choose him and his descendants for the covenant.

Shabbos and Elevating the Earth

Shabbos is intimately connected with Emunah. In the portion about the Manna, the Jewish people learn to rest on Shabbos and trust Hashem for their provision. This weekly practice of Emunah, recognizing that Hashem is The Source of all sustenance, elevates our physical existence.

On Shabbos, we make our “earth” elevated by living as an expression of Emunah. By resting and refraining from work, we acknowledge that everything belongs to Hashem. This parallels the covenant (Bris) of Shabbos with the covenant of Eretz Yisrael. As we say in Kiddush, Shabbos is a “Bris Olam” (eternal covenant).

The words “Vicharos Imo Habris” remind us that our relationship with Hashem, marked by faith and trust, is the foundation for receiving Eretz Yisrael. Just as Avraham’s Emunah was the basis for the covenant, our Emunah is essential for living in the land and observing Shabbos.

Our prayers, especially “Vicharos Imo Habris,” underscore the deep connection between Emunah, Eretz Yisrael, and Shabbos. By living with faith and recognizing Hashem as The Creator and Provider, we honor the eternal covenant and elevate our lives, by expanding Hashem’s Presence in the world. Emunah is the mastery of relying on Hashem, an active practice that shapes our daily lives and spiritual journey.

May we all strengthen our Emunah and experience the blessings of Eretz Yisrael and the sanctity of Shabbos in our lives.