The Land Is Very, Very Good: A Lesson in Humility

In Parshat Shlach, Yehoshua and Kalev urge the Jewish people not to fear and declare: "The land is very, very good."

At first glance, this seems like a simple description of the Land of Israel's beauty and abundance. But the Netivot Shalom uncovers a much deeper message hidden within these words. According to his explanation, the Torah is not only praising the land itself—it is also teaching us who is truly worthy of inheriting it.

"Very, Very Good"

The Netivot Shalom, citing the Torat Avot, notes an interesting parallel.

The phrase "very, very good" uses the same double expression that appears in the teaching of our sages: "Be very, very humble in spirit."

This connection is not accidental.

Just as Chazal emphasize humility with a double expression, the Torah emphasizes the goodness of the Land of Israel in the same way. The message, explains the Netivot Shalom, is that the Land of Israel belongs to those who possess the quality of humility.

Humility is not merely one virtue among many. It is a prerequisite for receiving the land's spiritual gifts.

The Purpose of Torah and Mitzvot

The Netivot Shalom explains that the ultimate purpose of the Torah and the mitzvot is to bring a Jew closer to Hashem.

The Zohar describes the 613 mitzvot as 613 pieces of counsel—guidance that helps a person reach the state of "and to Him you shall cleave." In other words, the goal of Torah life is deveikut, a deep attachment to Hashem.

Yet the physical world often distracts a person from this goal.

Because of this, Hashem gave the Jewish people special gifts that help them draw closer to Him. These gifts exist in three dimensions: in the world, there is the Land of Israel; in time, there is Shabbat; and within the soul, there are Torah and mitzvot.

Each of these serves as a bridge connecting a person to greater holiness and spiritual awareness.

The Unique Holiness of the Land

According to the Netivot Shalom, the Land of Israel is unlike any other place on earth.

Quoting Tanna D'vei Eliyahu, he explains that Hashem created all the lands of the world but set aside the Land of Israel as His uniquely holy portion. While other lands exist primarily on a physical plane, the Land of Israel serves as the spiritual heart of the world.

It is a place where divine holiness rests in a unique way.

A Jew who lives in the Land of Israel and merits its spiritual light is able to draw closer to Hashem and experience a higher level of sanctity. The land itself helps nurture spiritual growth and connection.

A Place Where Godliness Is Revealed

The Netivot Shalom goes even further.

The Hebrew word olam (world) is related to a root meaning concealment. The physical world often hides Hashem's presence, making it difficult to perceive godliness clearly.

The Land of Israel is different.

There, he explains, the holiness of the land allows a person to perceive Hashem's presence more readily. It is a place uniquely suited for achieving deveikut and spiritual closeness.

This helps explain why the Torah places such emphasis on entering and settling the land. It is not simply a homeland. It is a spiritual environment designed to bring the Jewish people closer to their Creator.

From Redemption to Marriage

One of the proofs of the land's unique holiness appears in the Exodus narrative itself.

The verse states: "I will take you to Me as a people, and I will bring you to the land."

The Netivot Shalom explains that the Exodus from Egypt can be compared to a betrothal. Through the redemption, Hashem chose the Jewish people and drew them close.

Entering the Land of Israel, however, represents the next stage of the relationship.

It is comparable to a marriage.

Just as a bride is brought into her husband's home, the Jewish people were brought into the Land of Israel, a place where their relationship with Hashem could reach a deeper level of permanence and intimacy.

The Spies' Hidden Flaw

Why, then, did the spies fail to appreciate the land's greatness?

The Netivot Shalom explains that their downfall began with a subtle form of arrogance.

The Torah describes the spies as leaders and distinguished individuals. On the surface, this description highlights their greatness. Yet it may also hint at their weakness.

They viewed themselves as important.

That self-importance opened the door to arrogance, which is the opposite of humility. Once they lost the quality necessary for inheriting the land, they became vulnerable to fear, negativity, and ultimately the sin of speaking against the Land of Israel.

Their failure was not simply a lack of faith. It was a failure of humility.

A Timeless Message

The teachings of the Netivot Shalom reveal that the Land of Israel is far more than a geographical location. It is a source of spiritual light and holiness that helps a person draw closer to Hashem.

Yet receiving that gift requires the right vessel.

Humility allows a person to recognize Hashem's blessings, appreciate His gifts, and open themselves to spiritual growth. Arrogance does the opposite, creating barriers where there should be connection.

Perhaps this is why the Torah describes the land as "very, very good."

Its goodness is reserved for those who are willing to become "very, very humble."

Only then can a person fully experience the holiness, closeness, and deveikut that the Land of Israel was meant to provide.