סימן מ"ז-ואכלתם אכול ושבוע

There: "the land devours its inhabitants — meaning: it receives abundance from the aspect of Yaakov." This means: for the simple reading of the verse also points to this — for since it receives abundance from the aspect of Yaakov which is the aspect of truth — and through this the essential light of Providence shines in Eretz Yisrael — as elaborated below — therefore it devours its inhabitants — namely: those who are unfit to dwell in it — such as the nations. For it cannot tolerate them — for: "a speaker of falsehoods shall not be established before My eyes" [Psalms 101]. [And see below, Siman 187.]

There: "'see life with the woman' — meaning: to unify the aspect of Israel — which is the aspect of truth — the aspect of tefillin — the aspect of life — with the woman" [acrostic: ha'nosen amrei shefer] — namely: with Eretz Yisrael — through which one receives the abundance — the aspect of ha'nosen amrei shefer. Or perhaps it means: for sometimes after receiving the abundance of livelihood — which flows from the aspect of life — the aspect of truth — as above — one then damages it through the desire for eating. And through this comes the concealment of the face, G-d forbid — which is the opposite of the aspect of life. Therefore the Scripture warns not to damage the abundance — and to see that it be in the aspect of life specifically.

Now: in this discourse it is elaborated that the abundance of Eretz Yisrael is the aspect of truth — the aspect of the totality of the colors [govvanin] — the aspect of wealth. And when this is damaged, G-d forbid — shame comes upon one — for one is dependent upon others because of poverty. And from this you will understand a hidden matter: since Eretz Yisrael is now in exile — therefore specifically the people of Eretz Yisrael — most all of them — are dependent upon others. And perhaps this is of great intentional good from Hashem — for through the fact that most of the livelihood of the inhabitants of Eretz Yisrael now comes from outside the Land — through this the abundance of Israel outside the Land is also sanctified in the aspect of the abundance of Eretz Yisrael. And see Zohar Terumah, p. 157b: "and because of this — even though Israel is outside the holy Land — even so — through the force and merit of the Land — sustenance and provision are found for the entire world. And therefore it is written: 'and you shall bless Hashem your G-d for the good land that He gave you' [Deuteronomy 8] — for through it sustenance and provision are found in the world. Whoever delights at the table — and so on — should remember and be concerned for the holiness of the holy Land."