מדרש על דברים 6:11

When the Lord cuts down (Deuteronomy 12:29): The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, "By your lives, I will conduct your wars and write about you that you killed them." Come and see, the acts of the Holy One, blessed be He, are not like the acts of a king of flesh and blood: [When] a king of flesh and blood goes out to war, his legions go out in front of him. If they are victorious, they come and make a crown and crown him. But the Holy One, blessed be He, does not do like this, but rather He conducts the war, and give the crown to Israel, as it is stated (Psalms 136:17-20), "Who struck down great kings, [...]. Sihon, king of the Amorites,[...]. Og, king of Bashan." But He gave the crown to Israel, as it is stated (Joshua 12:5), "Moshe, the servant of God, and Israel smote them." And so [too], with Yehoshua, what is written? "And the Lord hurled huge stones on them from the sky" (Joshua 10:11). And [yet] it is stated (Joshua 12:7), "And these are the kings of the land that Yehoshua and the Children of Israel slew." So that we inherit their land, He cut them down from the world, in order that we would enter and inherit houses filled with all good things. As all the days that Israel was present, they were swept and wandering in the wilderness for forty years. Yet they had been fitting to go up [to the Land of Israel] immediately, as it is stated (Exodus 3:17), "I will take you out of the misery of Egypt," to a good and spacious land. But they did not go in immediately. As when they left from Egypt, the seven nations [inhabiting the land] heard that [the Israelites] were coming to inherit [the land]. What did they do? They cut down the trees, stopped up the springs and destroyed the homes, such that if [the Israelites] would enter, they would find nothing [worthwhile there]. The Holy One, blessed be He, said, "If I bring them in right away, they will find it desolate, and I promised them that they would find it full of all of good things." What did He do? He held them up in the wilderness forty years, such that the Canaanites disregarded Israel, saying they are not coming. [Hence] they rose and planted trees, they fixed the wells and the cities, such that Israel would come when it was built, to fulfill that which is stated (Deuteronomy 6:11), "Houses full of all good things." This is [the meaning of] that which is written (Exodus 13:17), "God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines." Once they fixed everything, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moshe, "Why are you standing? 'Go up from here, you and the people' (Exodus 33:1). Make war with them and cut them down." And Israel said to Moshe, "When do we enter the land." [His answer was:] When the Lord, your God cuts down the nations within it shall you enter.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi interpreted the verse regarding Israel upon their entry into the land. “I increased my actions [maasai]” (Ecclesiastes 2:4) – “When you will come to the land of your dwellings.… you will perform [vaasitem] a fire offering to the Lord” (Numbers 15:2–3). “I built myself houses” (Ecclesiastes 2:4) – “houses filled with everything good” (Deuteronomy 6:11). “I planted myself vineyards” (Ecclesiastes 2:4) – “vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant” (Deuteronomy 6:11). “I made myself gardens and orchards” (Ecclesiastes 2:5) – Hadrian, may his bones be crushed, asked Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya: ‘It is written in the Torah: “A land in which without poverty [you will eat bread; you will not lack anything there]” (Deuteronomy 8:9). Can you bring me three things that I request?’ He said to him: ‘What are they?’ He said to him: ‘Peppers, pheasants, and silk fabrics.’ [Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya] brought him peppers from Nitzḥana, pheasants from Tzaidan, and some say from Akhberin, and silk fabric from Gush Ḥalav. “I made myself pools of water” (Ecclesiastes 2:6) – as it is written: “A land of streams of water” (Deuteronomy 8:7). “To irrigate from them a forest which grows trees” (Ecclesiastes 2:6) – even wood for the shafts of arrows was not lacking in the Land of Israel.
“I purchased myself slaves and maidservants” (Ecclesiastes 2:7) – “a mixed multitude [left with them]” (Exodus 12:38). “And I had stewards” (Ecclesiastes 2:7) – these are the Givonites, whom Joshua tasked as hewers of wood and drawers of water, as it is stated: “Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water” (Joshua 9:27). “I also had great possession of herds and flocks” (Ecclesiastes 2:7) – “[the children of Gad and the children of Reuben had a very great] multitude of livestock…” (Numbers 32:1). “I also gathered for myself silver and gold” – these are matters of Torah, as it is stated: “He took them out with silver and gold” (Psalms 105:37). “And the treasure of kings and countries” – these are the spoils of Og and the spoils of Midyan.²⁵See Numbers 21:35 and 31:9. “I acquired for myself songsters and songstresses” – male singers and women singers. “And the pleasures of people” – these are the pleasures of the children of Israel; “chests [shidda] and wagons [shiddot]” – indulgences and luxuries.

(Exodus 13:17) "And it was, when G d sent ("shalach") the people": "sending" in all places is accompaniment, viz. (Genesis 18:16) "And Abraham went with them to send them," (Ibid. 26:31) "And Israel sent them." The mouth (of Pharaoh) that said (Exodus 5:2) "Israel, too, I will not send," it is that (mouth) which said (Ibid. 10:10) "I will send you and your children." How was he rewarded for this? (Devarim 23:8) "You shall not abominate an Egyptian." The mouth which said (Exodus 5:2) "I do not know the L rd," it is that (mouth) which said (Ibid. 14:25) "I will flee from before Israel, for the L rd wars for them against the Egyptians." How was he rewarded for this? (Isaiah 19:19) "On that day there will be an altar to the L rd in the midst of the land of Egypt and a pillar at its border to the L rd." The mouth which said (Exodus 5:2) "Who is the L rd that I should hearken to His voice," it is that mouth which said (Ibid. 9:27) "the L rd is the Tzaddik, and I and my people are the wicked" — wherefore He gave them a place for burial, as it is written (Ibid. 15:12) "You inclined Your right hand — the earth swallowed them up." (Ibid.) "that G d did not lead them ('nacham')." This "nichum" connotes leading, as in (Psalms 77:21) "You have led (nachitha) Your people like sheep," and (Ibid. 78:4) "And He led them (vayanchem) with a cloud by day, and all the night with a light of fire." "by way of the land of the Philistines, for it was near": Near (i.e., "close") is the thing of which the Holy One Blessed be He spoke to Moses (Exodus 2:12): "When you take the people out of Egypt, you will serve G d on this mountain." Variantly: "for it was near": It afforded easy return to Egypt, viz. (Ibid. 5:3) "Let us go a three days' distance in the desert." Variantly: "for it was near": Close (in time) was the oath that Abraham had sworn to Avimelech, viz. (Genesis 21:23) "And now, swear to me here by G d that you will not deal with me falsely (by trespassing on my land), or to my son or my grandson," and his grandson was still alive. Variantly: "for it was near": The first war (that with Egypt) was too close to the second (that with Canaan). Variantly: "for it was near": The Canaanites had only recently acquired the land, and (Genesis 15:16) "And they (the Israelites) shall return here in the fourth generation, for the sin of the Amorites is not yet complete." Variantly: "for it was near": The Holy One Blessed be He did not bring them directly to Eretz Yisrael but by way of the desert, saying: If I bring them there now, immediately each man will seize his field, and each man his vineyard and they will neglect Torah study. Rather, I will keep them in the desert forty years, eating manna and drinking from the well, and the Torah will be absorbed in their bodies. From here R. Shimon would say: The Torah was given to be expounded only by the eaters of manna, and, like them, the eaters of terumah (i.e., the Cohanim). Variantly: "for it was near": The L rd did not bring them in directly. For when the Canaanites heard that the Israelites were coming, they arose and burned all the vegetation and cut down all the trees, and razed the buildings, and stopped up the springs — whereas the Holy One Blessed be He said: I did not promise their fathers to bring them to a ruined land, but one full of all good things, viz. (Devarim 6:11) "and houses full of all good." Rather, I will keep them in the desert until the Canaanites arise and restore what they have destroyed. (Ibid.) "for the L rd said: Lest the people bethink themselves when they see war": This is the war of Amalek, viz. (Numbers 14:45). "Variantly: "for the L rd said, etc.": This is the war of the sons of Ephraim, viz. (I Chronicles 7:20-21), and (Psalms 78:9-72). They transgressed the appointed time (for the redemption) and the oath, viz. (Genesis 50:25). "for the L rd said, etc.": So that they not see the bones of their brethren strewn in Philistia and return (to Egypt). Now does this not follow a fortiori, viz.: If, when He took them in a circuitous way, they said (Numbers 14:4) "Let us make a head and return to Egypt," how much more so if He would take them in a straight way!

(Deut. 25:19:) AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS WHEN THE LORD YOUR GOD GRANTS YOU REST …, YOU SHALL BLOT OUT THE REMEMBRANCE OF AMALEK. R. Azariah said R. Judah bar Simon said in the name of R. Judah bar Il'ay: Israel was given three commandments on their entrance to the land:⁶⁹Tanh., Deut. 6:11; PRK 3:14; PR 12:13; Sanh. 20b (bar.)

It is written: "and I gave the plague of Tzaraat” (Vayikra 14:34) Rabbi Hiya learned - and is this [good] news for them that a plague will come upon them? Rabbi Shimon son of Yohai learned since the Canaanites heard that Yisrael were coming upon them, they got up and they hid their money in their houses and in their fields . The Holy One Blessed Be He [Hash-m] said "I promised to your forefathers that I would enter their children to a land full of good" as it is said (Devarim 6:11) “ and houses full of good.” What did Hash-m do? He sent plagues in their houses [of Jews who settled in Israel] - and he [the owner of the house] would break it down and he would find there a treasure. And who was the one who told the Canaanites that Israel was entering into the land? Rabbi Yishmael son of Nah'man said "there are three ultimatums that Yoshua / Joshua sent to them [to the nations that were in Israel at the time he was about to conquer it] the one who wishes to leave, may leave. The one who wishes to make peace [by committing to observe the 7 Noahide laws], may make peace. And the one who wishes to make war, let them do so. The Girgashi [nation] stood up and left - the country] therefore He [Hash-m] gave him a land beautiful like His [Hash-m’s] land [Israel]. This is what is written (Yeshaya 36:17) “ until I came and I took you to the land like your land" - this is Africa [Some Say the Girgashi Went to Morocco - which is a beautiful land]. The Givonim made peace as it says (Yehoshua 10:1) “ and when the settlers of Gibon made peace…”. Thirty-one kings waged war and fell.

(Exod. 17:15–16:) <AND MOSES BUILT AN ALTER AND CALLED ITS NAME ADONAI-NISSI.> AND HE SAID: <IT IS> BECAUSE A HAND IS UPON THE THRONE OF THE LORD. THE LORD HAS A WAR WITH AMALEK FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. It is taught in the name of R. Eleazar: The Holy One swore an oath and said: By my right hand, <by> my right hand, <by> my throne, <by> my throne, <I swear that> if gentiles come from any of the peoples, them I will accept; but those from the seed of Amalek I will not accept.⁷¹Tanh., Deut. 6:11, cont.; PRK 3:16; PR 12:9; Mekhilta deRabbi Ishmael, ‘Amaleq, 2. And David also acted in this way, as stated (in II Sam. 1:13): AND DAVID SAID UNTO THE YOUNG MAN WHO HAD TOLD HIM: WHERE DO YOU COME FROM? THEN HE SAID I AM THE SON OF AN AMALEKITE PROSELYTE.⁷²Ger. The word denoted a resident alien in biblical times, but in rabbinic literature the word denotes a proselyte. R. Isaac said: He was the son of Doeg the Edomite. Then David said to him (in vs. 16): YOUR BLOOD BE UPON YOUR OWN HEAD. <This is what one reads, but> [the written text (ketiv) is YOUR BLOODS.] You shed a lot of bloods in Nob, the city of priests.

... The angels said before the Holy One, ‘Master of the World! Isn’t this Jerusalem?!’ as it is said “This is Jerusalem; in the midst of the nations I have placed her…” (Yechezkel 5:5) He replied to them, “But she exchanged My judgments for wickedness more than the nations…” (Yechezkel 5:6) They said to Him, “But they are Your people and Your inheritance, which You brought out with Your great strength…” (Devarim 9:29) He replied to them, “For My people have forgotten Me; they burn incense to vanity…” (Yirmiyahu 18:15) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the forefathers!’ He replied to them, “…the fathers are kindling fire…” (Yirmiyahu 7:18) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the children!’ He replied to them, “But they rebelled against Me and would not consent to hearken to Me…” (Yechezkel 20:8) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the tribe of Yehudah!’ “And Judah did what displeased the Lord…” (Melachim I 14:22) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the leaders!’ He replied to them, “Its heads judge for bribes…” (Micha 3:11) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the tribes!’ He replied to them, ‘and Gad, and Reuven and the half tribe of Menashe…’ They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the tribe of Dan!’ He replied to them, “And the children of Dan set up for themselves the graven image.” (Shoftim 18:30) They said to Him,’ act for the sake of the students!’ He replied to them, “…And those who hold onto the Torah did not know Me…” (Yirmiyahu 2:8) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the prophets!’ He replied to them, “[It was] for the sins of her prophets, the iniquities of her priests…” (Eicha 4:13) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of the kings!’ He replied to them, “And the altars that were on the roof, [the roof of] Ahaz's upper chamber, which the kings of Judah had made…” (Melachim II 23:12) The ministering angels said to Him, ‘act for our sake!’ He replied to them, “But they mocked the messengers of God…” (Divre HaYamim II 36:16) They said to Him, ‘act for the sake of Your name which is called upon them!’ He replied to them, ‘they have profaned My holy name.’ They said to Him, ‘You do not want to be appeased, what is the image of their father doing by You?’ “He has cast down from heaven to earth the glory of Israel…” (Eicha 2:1) This statement with which they clothed You, what has it done to You?! If the thing were not written, it would be impossible to say “The Lord has done what He devised, He has carried out His word…” (Eicha 2:17) They said to Him, ‘Master of the World! Is this not Jerusalem about whom you wrote “Behold on [My] hands have I engraved you…”’ (Yeshayahu 49:16) He replied to them, “I, too, shall clap My hands, one upon the other, and I shall put My fury to rest…” (Yechezkel 21:22) Since Zion saw that He did not want to be appeased, she started up and said “The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me." (Yeshayahu 49:14) May it be Your will Lord our God and God of our fathers that Your Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, that your Presence return within it, that You gather my exiles from the four corners of the world, that they rebuild the cities of Yehudah and settle Shechem and inherit it speedily. Amen.

Our forefathers came to Eretz Yisrael — blessing came in their wake, viz. (Devarim 6:11) "And (you will find) houses full of all good that you did not fill, and hewn cisterns, which you did not hew, etc." R. Shimon b. Yochai says: If it is written "houses full," "hewn cisterns," why need it be written "which you did not fill," "which you did not plant"? (To indicate) that it is not you who filled or hewed or planted, but your merit. And thus do you find that all the forty years that Israel was in the desert, the men of Eretz Yisrael built houses, and dug holes, pits, and caves, and planted all kinds of fruit trees, so that when our forefathers came to Eretz Yisrael they would find it full of blessing. But because this blessing came to them (the inhabitants), I might think that they would eat and be sated; it is, therefore, written (Ibid.) "and you (Israel) shall eat and be sated." You will eat and be sated, and they will keep themselves, their sons, and their wives and daughters (from eating them) so that our forefathers come to the land and find everything full of blessing. This is as we have said (Ibid. 11:10) "from which you went forth" — When you were there, it was blessed for your sakes, not as things are now, there being no blessing in it, as when you were there.