Peace and Land

And I will give peace (shalom) in the Land (ba’aretz), and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; and I will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the Land, neither shall the sword go through the Land.                                                                               Leviticus 26:6

Ba’al haTurim comments that “shalom” is an anagram for the word “lishmo” (for His name). For peace to survive, it must be done for the sake of heaven and for its own sake (an additional meaning of “lishmo”). “Peace” must not be used merely as a pretext to rest before resuming warfare. Lasting peace can be achieved only when nations are truly interested in peace as a goal, not as a means.

Since the verse states “ba’aretz,” rather than “b’artzechem” (in your Land), as used in the previous verse, it can be understood as being with the lower case, referring to the entire world. Even if understood this way, there is a connection with the Land, as our Sages teach that all countries are blessed through God’s direct providence over the Holy Land, and we can infer that the world will be blessed with peace once the Land is so blessed. Perhaps additionally, there is a hint that Israel is not satisfied merely having peace in its own Land, but prays that there be peace in the entire world.