Love of the Land

For the week ending 26 November 2011 / 28 Heshvan 5772

Nachalat Tzvi - Land of the Deer

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
Become a Supporter Library Library

In describing Eretz Yisrael the Prophet Yirmiyahu uses the term tzvi which has a double meaning: "desirable" and "deer".

But why should the land be compared to a deer?

One of the Talmudic Sages, Rabbi Chisda (Mesechta Ketubot 112a) offers this explanation: Just as the skin of the deer shrinks after it is removed from its body and is no longer capable of containing the animal’s flesh, so too does Eretz Yisrael produce so much fruit that there is not enough room to store it. And just as the deer is the fleetest of the animals, so is Eretz Yisrael the fleetest of all lands in bringing forth its fruit.

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at ohr@ohr.edu and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to Love of the Land

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.