Parshas Eikev 5765

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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Moshe promised the nation that if they would faithfully keep all of the mitzvos they would receive both physical and material blessings. Their crops would be plentiful, their flocks and herds would be fertile and they would be protected from diseases and from their enemies.

The promise is introduced with the word “Eikev”, which is etymologically related to the word “ekev” meaning a heel. The Midrash explains that the promise of great reward is dependent on the fulfillment of the mitzvos that are “stepped on,” or are ignored and not taken seriously. The greatest reward is not necessarily granted for what appears to be the greatest mitzvah. Quite to the contrary, it is often the small actions that tend to be overlooked that define a person’s values more than the grand actions which attract public recognition.

Moshe reminded the people of their sins throughout the forty years in the desert. However, he informed them that despite their failings, G-d’s love to them remains strong. All G-d asks of the Jewish people is that they fear Him. The Talmud understands this statement to mean that only the fear of G-d is in the hands of man, meaning the free will to do good or evil. Everything else in the world, i.e. the circumstances regarding one’s health, financial situation, physical characteristics, etc. is in the hands of G-d.

The main goal of our lives is to develop this fear of G-d, to constantly be aware of G-d’s presence. This is necessary in order to be able to meet the myriad of life’s challenges and make the right moral decisions. Only a society that has developed this awareness can be assured of maintaining a consistent standard of morality instead of a self-defined standard, which is likely to change according to the whims of each generation.

Obviously, this constant awareness is not easily attainable, yet it is something we must strive for. Only after a person has developed this awareness can he develop other attributes such as loving G-d.

Our service of G-d must have the proper balance of love and fear. Fear prevents the person from transgressing the will of G-d and love inspires the person to draw closer on his own accord through the fulfillment of G-d’s will.

Moshe promised the people that as a reward for their constant awareness of Him, they would be given a special land that merits G-d’s constant awareness, too. The Promised Land is like no other. It needs no rivers to irrigate its crops, for G-d will provide all the rain it needs, as long as the Jewish people are worthy. Thus, the land not only complements the people’s relationship with G-d; it actually enhances it.

“... He will bless the fruit of your womb… ” (Deut. 7:13)

Children are considered a Jew’s greatest asset. Large families are encouraged, for who would turn down an opportunity to become wealthier?

The Schiff family had a daughter whose beautiful voice led her to an offer of a future in the Opera. She accepted, to the disappointment of her parents.

Her father asked the Kapishnitzer Rebbe to speak to her. The Rebbe asked the young woman why singing professionally was so important to her. She admitted she was swayed by the promise of fame and fortune. The Rebbe told the young woman, “My daughter, a Jewish woman’s hope is to bear children who will bring pride to the Jewish people. I promise you if you give up your personal dream for fame, you will have a child who will bring you great pride.”

The woman agreed, and eventually bore a son who grew to become Rav Shmuel Vosner, a leading Halachic authority in Israel today.

Did You Know...

The blessings on food, both before and after eating, should be recited sitting, as that position shows a more settled frame of mind. Preferably, one should not eat while standing either. Eating in the street, especially, shows a lack of refinement.

One should start and finish eating in the same place. If one left the building in the middle of eating a snack such as an apple, he must recite a new blessing before continuing to eat. This is true even if he had in mind to leave at the time he recited the blessing. If, however, he merely left the room, although not proper, he need not recite a new blessing.