Torah and Eretz Israel are precious gifts from G-d to His beloved people and we became worthy of them, say our Talmudic Sages, only because of suffering.

As we read in this week's Torah portion of the receiving of the Torah at Sinai, we recall what was mentioned in an earlier chapter about the suffering in Egypt that prepared our people both for Torah and Eretz Yisrael.

I will bring you up from the affliction of Egypt, promised G-d, to a land flowing with milk and honey. It was that affliction which, like a furnace, purified and solidified our people and qualified them for receiving the gifts of Torah and Eretz Yisrael.

Torah and Israel are inseparable and recognition of this bond is what will secure Israel forever.

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