Rashi explains that Bnei Yisrael should feel that Eretz Yisrael was being given to them anew on that very day, rather than as an inheritance bequeathed to them by their ancestors. This special appreciation of Eretz Yisrael is more than a reflection of our love towards the land. It is also an essential prerequisite for its procurement. As we study Torah daily, we are reaffirming our acceptance of it, and we are obligating ourselves to its mandate. We likewise view Eretz Yisrael as our land.
Horav Yerucham Levovitz, z.l., remarks that although Eretz Yisrael was pledged to our ancestors, it demands our own commitment and loyalty. Consequently, each Jew must affirm his own devotion to Eretz Yisrael. As our ancestors merited Eretz Yisrael only through Torah and mitzvah performance under situations of intense pressure, we will only be worthy of its receipt after we indicate our devotion and commitment.
