Another interpretation (of Lev. 19:23), “When you come into the land.” This text is related (to Ps. 105:44-45), “He gave them the lands of nations […]. In order that they might keep His statutes […]”: “He gave them the lands of nations.” Whatever the Holy One, blessed be He, took from the peoples of the world He gave to Israel; lands of silver and gold, fields, vineyards, and cities. But He gave these to them only so that they would occupy themselves with the Torah, as stated (in vs. 45), “In order that they might keep His statutes […].” But they did not do so. Instead (according to Ezek. 36:17), “and they defiled it (i.e., the land) by their way and by their deeds.” They defiled them (according to Josh. 7) in the anathema of Achan, as stated (in Jer. 2:7), “but you came and defiled My land,” by the anathema of Achan; (ibid. cont.), “and you made My heritage an abomination,” by the image of Micah (in Jud. 17-18). So what did the Holy One, blessed be He, do to them? He exiled them from it, as stated (in Deut. 29:27), “So the Lord uprooted them from their land.” What is the meaning of “And […] uprooted (rt.: <i>ntsh</i>) them?” He weakened (rt.: <i>tshsh</i>)<sup class="footnote-marker">34</sup><i class="footnote"><i>TShSh</i> and <i>NTSh</i> seem like the same root, because the form translated UPROOTED lacks the N, while the form translated “weakened” lacks the second <i>Sh.</i></i> their strength. They planted and toiled, but the peoples of the world came and took. It is so stated (in Jud. 6:3-4), “And so it happened that, if Israel planted, Midian, Amalek, and the Children of Kedem would arise against it. And they would encamp against them [and destroy the produce of the earth].” When they repent, (according to Is. 65:22), “They shall not build for another to dwell in; they shall not plant for another to eat.” Why? Because when they plant no one uproots, as stated (in Amos 9:15), “they shall never again be uprooted (rt.: ntsh) from their land.”