Is Syria Part of Israel’s Promised Territory?
הרב שי טחןטו כסליו, תשפה16/12/2024couple of months ago, when the conflict between Israel and Lebanon erupted, we published an article titled ‘Is Lebanon Part of Israel’s Promised Territory?’
תגיות:סוריהארץ ישראלהבטחה
We discusses how Hashem promised Avraham Avinu the Land of Israel, extending from the River of Egypt (which includes Gaza in the south) to the Euphrates River near Turkey in the north. The Torah delineates Lebanon as part of Israel's borders.
This article was posted on a popular news website and within days went viral throughout the Arab media. It was shared extensively, sparking an outcry of anger over the claim that Jews were purportedly seeking to occupy Lebanon as well. Although the website quickly removed the article, it was already too late—the article had been reposted in its entirety across the internet.
Adding to the controversy, this publication followed a previous article posted more than a year ago, titled ‘Is Gaza a Jewish Land?’ That earlier article also generated debate and backlash.
In light of these discussions and the recent events in Syria, today we wish to explore another related question: What is the status of the land of Syria? According to the Torah, is Syria considered Jewish land?
The question of whether Syria is part of biblical Israel’s territory is a complex one, rooted in the Torah and historical accounts of the ancient Land of Israel. Various descriptions of Israel’s borders in the Torah and Tanakh suggest that portions of what is now modern-day Syria overlap with the territories described as part of biblical Israel.
Torah Boundaries
Syria, unlike Gaza and Lebanon, although part of the Promised Land granted to Avraham Avinu and defined within the borders of the Torah, was to be conquered only after the entire of the Land of Israel was secured. In contrast, the entire Land of Israel, including Gaza, was conquered by Yehoshua and immediately divided among the tribes to grant it the full status of the Land of Israel. Consequently, Gaza and Lebanon were subject to the full laws of the Land of Israel, including the obligation to separate portions of agricultural produce for the Kohanim and Leviim.
The Torah outlines the boundaries of the Promised Land in multiple places, such as Bamidbar (34) and Devarim (11:24). While the core of Eretz Yisrael is centered around modern-day Israel, these descriptions often extend to broader regions. For instance, the border sometimes includes the area up to the Euphrates River, a significant geographical feature that flows through modern Syria. This suggests that parts of Syria were within the envisioned borders of biblical Israel.
The land of Syria was conquered by King David, but this conquest was not carried out in full accordance with the proper order. As explained above, he was supposed to conquer the entire Land of Israel first before acquiring new territory which he didn’t. Additionally, Syria was conquered not by the entire nation but by King David’s private army. Our sages referred to this as a ‘single conquest.’ As a result, Syria holds a status that is not entirely equivalent to the Land of Israel.
The Rambam on the land of Syria
The Rambam (Beginning of Halachot of Trumot) writes in regards to the laws of separating Trumah: Whenever Eretz Yisrael is mentioned, the intent is the lands conquered by the King of Israel or a prophet with the consent of the entire Jewish people. This is called "a conquest of the community." If, however, an individual Jew, a family, or a tribe go and conquer a place for themselves - even in the land given to Abraham - it is not considered as Eretz Yisrael in the sense that one is obligated to observe all the mitzvot there. The lands which King David conquered outside of the Land of Canaan, e.g., Aram Naharaim, Aram Tzovah, Achlab, and the like, even though he was a King of Israel and he was acting with the consent of the High Court, is not considered as the Land of Israel with regard to all matters, nor is it like the Diaspora, i.e., Babylonia and Egypt with regard to all matters. Instead, it was removed from the category of the Diaspora, but did not enter the category of Eretz Yisrael.
Why its level was considered lower than that of Eretz Yisrael? Because David conquered them before he conquered all of Eretz Yisrael. Instead, there were still members of the seven nations there. If, however, he had conquered Eretz Yisrael entirely, in all of its boundaries, and afterwards conquered other lands, his entire conquest would have been equivalent to Eretz Yisrael with regard to all matters. The lands which King David conquered are called Syria.
Historical Context
The Jewish people have a long history in Syria, starting from the patriarchs and continuing through to the recent esteemed and glorified communities who lived there for many generations, which were known for their deep learning and Torah scholarship.
The Torah describes the Avot (Patriarchs) and Imahot (Matriarchs) events in areas that are part of modern-day Syria or its surrounding regions:
Avraham Avinu
Avraham Avinu was in Syria during parts of his life. The Torah mentions that he traveled extensively throughout the region. For example:
Charan: Avraham lived in Charan (modern-day southern Turkey or northern Syria) before being commanded by Hashem to go to the Land of Canaan (Bereishit 12:1-5).
Damascus: In Bereishit 14:15, Avraham pursued the kings who had captured Lot "until Chovah, which is to the north of Damascus," indicating his presence near or within the Syrian region.
Eliezer of Damascus: Avraham's servant Eliezer is described as being from Damascus (Bereishit 15:2), suggesting that Avraham had connections or interactions in that area.
Yitzchak
• Rivkah’s Origins: Rivkah, Yitzchak's wife, came from Padan Aram (Bereishit 25:20), a region identified with Aram Naharaim, near Charan in modern-day northern Syria or southern Turkey.
Yaakov
• Journey to Charan: Yaakov fled to Charan (also part of Aram, in the region of Syria) to escape Esav’s anger and to find a wife (Bereishit 28:10). He lived there for 20 years, working for Lavan and marrying Leah and Rachel.
Leah and Rachel
• Both Leah and Rachel, daughters of Lavan, were born and raised in the region of Padan Aram (Bereishit 29). Lavan, their father is explicitly described as an Aramean (Devarim 26:5).
Bilhah and Zilpah
• Bilhah and Zilpah, the handmaids who became mothers of several of Yaakov’s children, were also from Lavan’s household, thus tied to Syria.
King David
As explained, during the height of the United Monarchy under King David and King Solomon, the kingdom expanded to include territories beyond the immediate borders of Israel. For example:
• - Aram: Northern regions such as Aram-Damascus (modern-day southern Syria) were mentioned in the context of interactions, alliances, and conflicts with Israel. Damascus, a prominent city in Syria, played a significant role in biblical history.
• - Hamath: This ancient city, now part of central Syria, is referenced as a northern boundary of Israel’s sphere of influence during Solomon’s reign (Melachim 1. 8:65).
• - The Euphrates River (Nehar Perat): In some texts, the Land of Israel’s borders are described as stretching “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates” (Bereshit 15:18). This expansive definition includes parts of Syria, particularly its southern and central regions.
In summary, while not all the Avot and Imahot lived in Syria for extended periods, many significant events and connections in their lives involved regions of modern-day Syria, especially through their familial ties and journeys.
This article was posted on a popular news website and within days went viral throughout the Arab media. It was shared extensively, sparking an outcry of anger over the claim that Jews were purportedly seeking to occupy Lebanon as well. Although the website quickly removed the article, it was already too
Adding to the controversy, this publication followed a previous article posted more than a year ago, titled ‘Is Gaza a Jewish Land?’ That earlier article also generated debate and backlash.
In light of these discussions and the recent events in Syria, today we wish to explore another related question: What is the status of the land of Syria? According to the Torah, is Syria considered Jewish land?
The question of whether Syria is part of biblical Israel’s territory is a complex one, rooted in the Torah and historical accounts of the ancient Land of Israel. Various descriptions of Israel’s borders in the Torah and Tanakh suggest that portions of what is now modern-day Syria overlap with the territories described as part of biblical Israel.
Torah Boundaries
Syria, unlike Gaza and Lebanon, although part of the Promised Land granted to Avraham Avinu and defined within the borders of the Torah, was to be conquered only after the entire of the Land of Israel was secured. In contrast, the entire Land of Israel, including Gaza, was conquered by Yehoshua and immediately divided among the tribes to grant it the full status of the Land of Israel. Consequently, Gaza and Lebanon were subject to the full laws of the Land of Israel, including the obligation to separate portions of agricultural produce for the Kohanim and Leviim.
The Torah outlines the boundaries of the Promised Land in multiple places, such as Bamidbar (34) and Devarim (11:24). While the core of Eretz Yisrael is centered around modern-day Israel, these descriptions often extend to broader regions. For instance, the border sometimes includes the area up to the Euphrates River, a significant geographical feature that flows through modern Syria. This suggests that parts of Syria were within the envisioned borders of biblical Israel.
The land of Syria was conquered by King David, but this conquest was not carried out in full accordance with the proper order. As explained above, he was supposed to conquer the entire Land of Israel first before acquiring new territory which he didn’t. Additionally, Syria was conquered not by the entire nation but by King David’s private army. Our sages referred to this as a ‘single conquest.’ As a result, Syria holds a status that is not entirely equivalent to the Land of Israel.
The Rambam on the land of Syria
The Rambam (Beginning of Halachot of Trumot) writes in regards to the laws of separating Trumah: Whenever Eretz Yisrael is mentioned, the intent is the lands conquered by the King of Israel or a prophet with the consent of the entire Jewish people. This is called "a conquest of the community." If, however, an individual Jew, a family, or a tribe go and conquer a place for themselves - even in the land given to Abraham - it is not considered as Eretz Yisrael in the sense that one is obligated to observe all the mitzvot there. The lands which King David conquered outside of the Land of Canaan, e.g., Aram Naharaim, Aram Tzovah, Achlab, and the like, even though he was a King of Israel and he was acting with the consent of the High Court, is not considered as the Land of Israel with regard to all matters, nor is it like the Diaspora, i.e., Babylonia and Egypt with regard to all matters. Instead, it was removed from the category of the Diaspora, but did not enter the category of Eretz Yisrael.
Why its level was considered lower than that of Eretz Yisrael? Because David conquered them before he conquered all of Eretz Yisrael. Instead, there were still members of the seven nations there. If, however, he had conquered Eretz Yisrael entirely, in all of its boundaries, and afterwards conquered other lands, his entire conquest would have been equivalent to Eretz Yisrael with regard to all matters. The lands which King David conquered are called Syria.
Historical Context
The Jewish people have a long history in Syria, starting from the patriarchs and continuing through to the recent esteemed and glorified communities who lived there for many generations, which were known for their deep learning and Torah scholarship.
The Torah describes the Avot (Patriarchs) and Imahot (Matriarchs) events in areas that are part of modern-day Syria or its surrounding regions:
Avraham Avinu
Avraham Avinu was in Syria during parts of his life. The Torah mentions that he traveled extensively throughout the region. For example:
Charan: Avraham lived in Charan (modern-day southern Turkey or northern Syria) before being commanded by Hashem to go to the Land of Canaan (Bereishit 12:1-5).
Damascus: In Bereishit 14:15, Avraham pursued the kings who had captured Lot "until Chovah, which is to the north of Damascus," indicating his presence near or within the Syrian region.
Eliezer of Damascus: Avraham's servant Eliezer is described as being from Damascus (Bereishit 15:2), suggesting that Avraham had connections or interactions in that area.
Yitzchak
• Rivkah’s Origins: Rivkah, Yitzchak's wife, came from Padan Aram (Bereishit 25:20), a region identified with Aram Naharaim, near Charan in modern-day northern Syria or southern Turkey.
Yaakov
• Journey to Charan: Yaakov fled to Charan (also part of Aram, in the region of Syria) to escape Esav’s anger and to find a wife (Bereishit 28:10). He lived there for 20 years, working for Lavan and marrying Leah and Rachel.
Leah and Rachel
• Both Leah and Rachel, daughters of Lavan, were born and raised in the region of Padan Aram (Bereishit 29). Lavan, their father is explicitly described as an Aramean (Devarim 26:5).
Bilhah and Zilpah
• Bilhah and Zilpah, the handmaids who became mothers of several of Yaakov’s children, were also from Lavan’s household, thus tied to Syria.
King David
As explained, during the height of the United Monarchy under King David and King Solomon, the kingdom expanded to include territories beyond the immediate borders of Israel. For example:
• - Aram: Northern regions such as Aram-Damascus (modern-day southern Syria) were mentioned in the context of interactions, alliances, and conflicts with Israel. Damascus, a prominent city in Syria, played a significant role in biblical history.
• - Hamath: This ancient city, now part of central Syria, is referenced as a northern boundary of Israel’s sphere of influence during Solomon’s reign (Melachim 1. 8:65).
• - The Euphrates River (Nehar Perat): In some texts, the Land of Israel’s borders are described as stretching “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates” (Bereshit 15:18). This expansive definition includes parts of Syria, particularly its southern and central regions.
In summary, while not all the Avot and Imahot lived in Syria for extended periods, many significant events and connections in their lives involved regions of modern-day Syria, especially through their familial ties and journeys.
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