#15

The second "brocha" in Birkas Hamozohn is "Birkas Ho-oretz" - the "brocha" for the land. Rabbi Eliezer said, "Anyone who does not say the praises of Eretz Yisroel, that it is "eretz chemdo, tohvo, urchovo" (a land which is desirable, a land which is good, and which is wide), has not fulfilled his obligation. (Brochohs 48B) Moshe prayed with all his heart to be allowed to enter Eretz Yisroel. The "Ovohs" (the forefathers: Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov) wanted to live and be buried in Eretz Yisroel. Since Yehohshua was privileged to enter Eretz Yisroel, he set down this "brocha".

When saying this "brocha", we should remember the "bris" (agreement) which Avrohom Avinu made. As a reward for doing the "mitzvah" of "bris", Hashem promised to give the land to Avrohom Avinu. We also mention Torah in this "brocha" since the land was given to us so that we can keep Hashem’s "mitzvohs". (Bays Yohsayf l87)

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