This very question is explored in Sifrei Devarim 59, a fascinating passage that dives into the nuances of Jewish law. The text kicks off with a seemingly simple phrase: "in the land." You might understandably think, reading that, that all the mitzvot, all the commandments, only apply outside of Eretz Yisrael.
But then, the text throws us a curveball. It continues, "to do in the land which the L-rd, the G-d of your fathers, gave you to inherit." Okay, so maybe it’s the opposite! Perhaps all the mitzvot are only to be performed in Eretz Yisrael?
The Torah isn't about to let us off that easy. It adds, "all the days that you live upon the earth." Now we're really in a pickle! Scripture seems to include those outside the land and exclude those inside the land. So, how do we figure out which rules apply where?
This is where the real interpretive work begins. The text proposes a method: we derive the rule from a specific commandment, the one concerning the destruction of idolatry. Remember the verse, "Destroy shall you destroy all the places where the nations worshipped" (Deuteronomy 12:2)? The Sifrei Devarim argues that the commandment to destroy idolatry is something that "devolves upon the 'body' (of the observer)," meaning it's a personal obligation. It's not dependent on the land itself. It applies both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of it.
So, the logic goes, any mitzvah that shares this characteristic – being a personal obligation independent of the land – also applies both inside and outside of Eretz Yisrael. But, crucially, there are exceptions! The text points out that certain commandments, like arlah (the prohibition against eating the fruit of a tree during its first three years, as described in Leviticus 19:23) and kilayim (the prohibition against mixing certain seeds or fibers, mentioned in Leviticus 19:19), are forbidden even outside the land. These exceptions highlight that the rules aren't always straightforward.
And the debate doesn't end there! Rabbi Eliezer adds another layer, arguing that chadash (the prohibition against eating new grain before the Omer offering, detailed in Leviticus 23:10-14) should also be included in the list of commandments that apply even outside the land.
What’s the takeaway from all this? It's a powerful reminder that Jewish law is dynamic and nuanced. It’s not just a set of black-and-white rules etched in stone. It's a living, breathing tradition that invites us to grapple with complex questions of context, intention, and obligation. It forces us to ask ourselves: what does it truly mean to live a Jewish life, no matter where we find ourselves on this earth?