In the Talmudic tractate Sotah, the Mishna [Chapter 7. Mishna 5] states: 'When the Jewish People crossed the Jordan River and arrived at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal in the Shomron [Samaria], etc'.
(The Mishna continues to describe the epic event whereby six of the legions of Israel ascended Mount Gerizim and the other six legions ascended Mount Ebal. The Priests and Levites together with the Holy Ark remained in the valley between, turned towards Mount Gerizim and pronounced great blessings, to which the entire Jewish People responded Amen, etc). Thereby the Mishna lay down the ruling that both Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal are connected with the Shomron. Now since this a clear Mishnaic decision, we have a principle “one (a judge) who makes a ruling contrary to a Mishna, the ruling is null and void, (and the case must be retried) since on such an explicit law a mistake is unacceptable.
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| Mount Grizim and Mount Ebal in the Shomron |
On this basis it is clear that there remains no room to dispute the fact that the Shomron is part of the Land of Israel, not to be surrendered – not to Arabs, Americans, nor to any of the seventy nations, since this is within the exclusive ownership of the Jewish People. Moreover: the very blessings of the Land of Israel are dependent upon the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal.
The fact that G-d gave His Blessings on a mountain was not merely because it was a lofty spot. Rather, it is a matter of absolute certainty that there is an inner connection between G-d’s Blessings to the entire Land emanating specifically from Mount Gerizim. Therefore the Mishna states its ruling: “Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal which are in the Shomron”. From here it is evident that Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal are the source of blessing for the entire Land of Israel. Furthermore: the Mishna states that they are in the Shomron. It is therefore clear that the Shomron holds the balance of the entire Land of Israel.
Public address Shabbos Re-ei 1977
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