The Torah seems to emphasize that Eretz Yisrael is a land of abundance, for which we can take no credit. The cities are great, but we did not build them. The houses are filled with all sorts of good things, but we did not fill them. The wells, vineyards, olive trees are all wonderful, but we did not dig or plant them. Material abundance is everywhere, but we had nothing to do with it. Does it really matter whether we had a hand in preparing this incredible abundance? The primary problem is that when people have too much, they might forget about Hashem, the Source of everything. What difference does it make whether these cities and houses were acquired from others, or whether they were created by the people themselves?
Horav Mordechai Rogov, z.l., explains that one who works to develop the world around him is acutely aware of the many obstacles and challenges that he has had to overcome in order to succeed with his endeavor. He has plans and he is willing to toil, but he is confronted with life’s challenges. Then, without warning, all of his plans are for naught. He finds himself unable to solve the problems which he has encountered. Unanticipatedly, a solution appears out of the clear blue, and his problems are solved! In such a situation, a person with the slightest modicum of intelligence can readily recognize the Yad Hashem, Hand of the Almighty, guiding, directing and assisting him in overcoming the difficulties he had faced. In such an instance, there is no ambiguity in perceiving that Hashem has guided his destiny.
However, when a person is handed everything on a silver platter, without having to confront the difficulties, the frustrations and the threat of failure, he lacks the clarity of vision to see the hand of G-d. Just as he lacks the challenges, so, too, does he lack the opportunity to feel the triumph that comes with Hashem’s direct intervention on his behalf.
The Torah alludes to this danger when it tells us that when we arrive in Eretz Yisrael, everything will be prepared for us. Fields, houses, cities filled with goods – what more can one ask for? Consequently, there was a direct concern that the people would not appreciate the “Hashem factor” in all of their bounty. The very fact that the gifts were obtained without any effort on their part could result in their overlooking the fact – and eventually forgetting – that it all has come from Hashem. This is often the case: We forget Who the Benefactor is until we almost lose the benefit.
