Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Genesis 13:15 mean when it says 'all the land which thou seest'?
A: In Genesis 13:15, Hashem promises Avraham that the land he sees will belong to him and his descendants forever. According to Rashi, this refers to the Land of Israel, which was shown to Avraham as a divine gift. The phrase 'all the land which thou seest' emphasizes that the promise includes everything within Avraham's vision at that moment.
Q: Why is the promise of the land to Avraham and his descendants important in Judaism?
A: This promise is foundational in Judaism because it establishes the eternal bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains that this covenant is one of the 613 mitzvot (commandments), reinforcing the Jewish people's right and obligation to settle the land. The Talmud (Ketubot 110b) also discusses the importance of living in Eretz Yisrael as a mitzvah.
Q: How does the promise 'to thy seed forever' apply to Jews today?
A: The phrase 'to thy seed forever' means the Land of Israel is an eternal inheritance for the Jewish people. According to traditional Jewish thought, this promise remains valid in every generation. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) teaches that this covenant is unbreakable, and Jews today continue to have a spiritual and physical connection to the land as descendants of Avraham.
Q: What can we learn from Hashem's promise to Avraham in Genesis 13:15?
A: We learn about the importance of faith and divine promises. Avraham trusted Hashem's word even though he did not yet possess the land. The Sforno explains that this teaches us to rely on Hashem's promises, even when fulfillment seems distant. Additionally, it highlights the special relationship between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael as part of our heritage.
Q: Does 'all the land which thou seest' have a specific boundary in Jewish tradition?
A: Yes, Jewish tradition defines the boundaries of the land promised to Avraham. Rashi and other commentators explain that it includes the territory from the Nile River to the Euphrates (based on Genesis 15:18). The Talmud (Gittin 8a) also discusses the halachic (legal) boundaries of Eretz Yisrael for mitzvot that are land-dependent.
The Divine Promise to Avraham
The verse (Bereishit 13:15) states: "כִּי אֶת־כָּל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה רֹאֶה לְךָ אֶתְּנֶנָּה וּלְזַרְעֲךָ עַד־עוֹלָם" ("for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever"). This is a foundational promise from Hashem to Avraham Avinu, establishing the eternal bond between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that the phrase "אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה רֹאֶה" ("which thou seest") teaches that Hashem showed Avraham all of Eretz Yisrael in a prophetic vision. This aligns with the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 41:2), which states that Hashem cleared the land before Avraham's eyes, allowing him to see its entirety—a sign of the future inheritance.
The Eternal Nature of the Promise
The term "עַד־עוֹלָם" ("for ever") is emphasized by the Ramban (Nachmanides), who notes that this promise is unconditional and everlasting. Unlike other covenants dependent on merit, this gift of land is an eternal inheritance for Avraham's descendants, as reiterated in later prophecies (e.g., Vayikra 26:42).
The Scope of the Land
Halachic Implications
The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:6) derives from this verse that the Jewish people's right to Eretz Yisrael is immutable, even during exile. The Sifrei (Devarim 53) further links this promise to the mitzvah of yishuv ha'aretz (settling the land), underscoring its centrality in Torah law.