Eretz Yisrael was created first and afterwards the rest of the world, as the passage states: “Before He made Eretz (Land) and Chutzos (outlying areas)” (Mishlei 8:26). 

The term “Eretz” applies to Eretz Yisrael, which was the main purpose of Creation and therefore created first. All the other lands are considered secondary in importance as they were in the sequence of Creation and are therefore referred to as “Chutzos.”

Even today we refer to the land we love simply as “Eretz” while the rest of the world is “Chutz,” outlying areas of secondary importance.

(Ta’anit 10a)

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