For the week ending 5 May 2012 / 12 Iyyar 5772
The Peaceful Land
"I will grant peace in the Land" is what G-d promised His people (Vaykira 26:6) if they would study the Torah He gave them and perform the mitzvot.
This promise of peace comes after those of plentiful rain and bountiful harvests. This order is thus explained by Rashi:
"Lest you say We have food and we have drink but what value do they have if we have no peace? the Torah follows the promise of economic success with the Divine promise that there will be peace in the Land."
"This teaches us that peace is equal in value to everything else."