The Torah repeatedly affirms that Hashem gave the Land of Israel to the Jewish people. Rashi, the renowned biblical commentator, emphasizes this from the very first verse of the Torah. He references the Sages, explaining that, since the Torah is primarily a book of commandments (mitzvot), it could have begun with the first commandment given to the nation—the setting of the calendar (Shemot, ch. 12). Yet, the Torah begins with the creation narrative to demonstrate that, because Hashem created the world, He has the authority to give the Land of Israel to whomever He chooses.

Rabbi Isaac said: The Torah which is the Law book of Israel should have commenced with the verse (Exodus 12:2) “This month shall be unto you the first of the months” which is the first commandment given to Israel. What is the reason, then, that it commences with the account of the Creation? Because of the thought expressed in the text (Psalms 111:6) “He declared to His people the strength of His works (i.e. He gave an account of the work of Creation), in order that He might give them the heritage of the nations.” For should the peoples of the world say to Israel, “You are robbers, because you took by force the lands of the seven nations of Canaan”, Israel may reply to them, “All the earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it and gave it to whom He pleased. When He willed He gave it to them, and when He willed He took it from them and gave it to us” (Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 187).
(Rashi on Bereshit / Genesis 1:1 – Translation from Sefaria.org)

Hashem promises our forefathers multiple times that He will give the Land of Israel to their descendants. This promise comes with the condition of following Hashem’s will as conveyed through the Torah and mitzvot. There are consequences, both positive and negative, depending on adherence to these commandments. Below are key points that outline a journey, often challenging, but ultimately destined to fulfill God’s promise.

Bereshit 12:6-7
Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the plain of Moreh. The Canaanites were then in the land. Hashem appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants, I will give this land.” Abram built an altar there to Hashem, who had appeared to him.

Shemot 6:8
“I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a heritage. I am Hashem.”

Bamidbar 33:53
“You shall clear out the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.”

Devarim 8:1
“Every commandment I command you today, you shall observe to perform, so that you may live, multiply, and possess the land that Hashem swore to your forefathers.”

Devarim 8:11
“Beware that you do not forget Hashem, your God, by failing to keep His commandments, ordinances, and statutes, lest you eat and become satisfied, and build fine houses and dwell in them… and your heart grows haughty, and you forget Hashem, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.”

Vayikra 18:27-28
“For the people of the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land became defiled. Let not the land vomit you out for defiling it, as it vomited out the nation before you.”

Despite periods of abandonment of the Torah, Hashem promises never to break His covenant with the Jewish people.