Ekev 2020

1On its surface, this week’s Parsha appears to be merely a review of themes covered in the last two Parshiyot; Do not be afraid of the Kings or peoples of Canaan. Do not worship idols. Remember the good things that you received in your travels through the desert; the Manna. Remember the giving of the Torah. Remember the sin of the golden calf and how Moshe prayed to save the nation. Remember the Korach rebellion and its consequences. We are forced to examine the Parsha more carefully, to look for a hidden or more subtle meaning in the messages being delivered in Parshat Ekev.

2It starts with the first verse, “And it shall be “Ekev” (translated by Unkulus) “in exchange” for listening to these rules and observing and doing them…. In exchange G-d will do His part and keep His word that he had promised to your forefathers”. For Unkulus the relationship with G-d is a quid pro quo. “You do good G-d will respond.” Rashi quoting the Midrash, “These are the commandments one steps on with one’s heel.” The play on words is from the word “Ekev” which means the heel of the foot. To Rashi the Torah is concerned about “partialism”, that is people will pick and choose what they want to keep and what they don’t want to keep. If you combine these two messages the torah is warning us that the only future for us in the land of Israel is in keeping the entire torah.

3Next we notice an interesting observation by the Torah (ch7v26),”Do not bring an abomination (To-ayvah) into your home for you shall become “Cherem” like it. Here the Torah warns us against allowing external abominations into our homes. The abominations of the street need to stay there lest we become unduly influenced. This is an important message for then and forever.

4“Mankind will not live on bread alone.” (ch8v3) Here the Torah explains the purpose of the Manna. G-d gave us this special bread to teach us and instruct us; “I am your G-d, I gave you this special bread then and you can enjoy the taste of the Manna now and forever by tasting the sweet words of the Torah”.

5“Eat and be satisfied and bless G-d upon the land which he has given you” (ch8v10). This verse serves as both a commandment to recite Birkat Hamazone (blessing G-d after eating) and as a blessing to us. In the land of Israel we will eat and be satisfied. Outside of the land we will be forever hungry. We will be in a state of “missing” something important. Eating anything in the land of Israel comes along with many mitzvoth; mostly associated with charity. Each bite of food in Israel comes only after we have taken care of the Priest, the Levi, and the poor. Only then will we be truly “satisfied”.

6These are only a few of the subtle messages contained in this week’s Parsha.

7Shabbat Shalom.