Selections from classical Torah sources
which express the special relationship between
the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael

WORTH MOVING FOR

Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi, who studied Torah in Eretz Yisrael, would leave their place of study when it became too hot and move to the shade. On cool days they would move from a cold spot to where they could get some warmth from the sun.

They bothered to make these moves, explains Rashi, in order to avoid having any complaints about the climate of Eretz Yisrael.

These two Talmudic giants could apparently have endured the discomfort of heat or cold and would have preferred to do so rather than lose the precious time required for relocation. But this might have stirred a fleeting thought of discontent with the climate of the land they so loved. They therefore decided it was worth making this sacrifice.