What are the connotations of "ve'es ha'Aretz Mah Hi"?
Rashi: The climate of some countries produces strong people, and of others, weak people; In some countries, it causes the people to proliferate, in others, it keeps their numbers low.
Rashbam: The terrain of the land - whether it is forest-land, or open fields, whether it is dry or damp, will determine the weapons and tools that they take with them into battle.
What are the connotations of "he'Chazak hu Im Rafah"?
Rashi: The towns in which they live demonstrate their strength; 1 if they live in open towns, it is a sign of strength, whereas if they live in fortified towns it is a sign of weakness. 2
Seforno: The health of the inhabitants will, whether they are few or many, and whther they are strong or weak will reflect on the quality of the air of the land and of the produce that it grows.
Why did Moshe first say the better side last (strong or weak), and then first (few or many)?
Moshav Zekenim: 'Few or many' refers to above ? are the strong the minority, and if so, the weak are the majority?
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that living in open towns shows strength, and in fortified towns, weakness. If so, "he'Chazak Hu Im Rafah" is the same as the next Pasuk, "ha'be'Machanim Im be'Mivtzarim"!
Moshav Zekenim: The next Pasuk informs us how they can recognize whether they are strong or weak.
