But the rabbis in Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal midrashim on the Book of Deuteronomy, ask a crucial question: Is that verse… subtly dissing Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel, by simply mentioning "mountains?" Mountains can be… well, mountainous. Difficult to traverse, hard to cultivate. Were they being included as an afterthought?
The text immediately pushes back against this idea. No! It counters: "It is, therefore, written 'and plains.'" The inclusion of plains – those fertile, easily worked lands – balances it out. The Sifrei Devarim draws a powerful analogy: "Just as plains (are mentioned) for commendation, so, mountains." Both are meant to be seen as positive attributes of the land.
But the explanation doesn't stop there. It goes deeper, offering a reason for the inclusion of both features. "Furthermore, a reason is given for 'mountains' as a reason is given for plains — the fruits of the mountain are quick (to grow) and those of the valley are fat." Ah, now we’re getting somewhere!
The mountains offer their own unique blessings. While the valleys might produce richer, "fatter" crops, the mountains offer speed and abundance in their own way. Different terrains, different strengths, all contributing to the bounty of the land.
So, what's the takeaway here? It's more than just a geographical description. It's a reminder that value isn't always uniform. What might seem like a potential drawback can actually be a source of unique strength and blessing. The land, like life itself, is a tapestry woven with diverse elements, each contributing to its overall richness and beauty. And sometimes, what appears to be a simple statement can hold within it a profound lesson about perspective and appreciation.