ABSTRACT
Holy land is God’s Land, the Center of the Universe. The holiness present at the sacred house radiates throughout the land. Separated from all other lands to be an earthly dwelling place for the deity, holy land is the most important of the world’s space. For the Rabbis, the land of Israel (Figure 3.1) is owned by the Holy One and therefore subject to numerous restrictions which maintain its holy status. When these requirements are met, God’s goodness pours out upon it and its inhabitants, bringing prosperity and protection. When the requirements are not met, the land becomes defiled and in need of purification. Its residents are denied its benefits and expelled.
