Ekev
My heart and Tefilla are with the families of those bereaved after the horrific bomb blast that shook the city of Beirut to its core leaving a wake of death and destruction. over 300 thousand have been left homeless. May Hashem provide speedily recovery physically, emotionally and psychologically to all who are so desperate at this tragic time.
It has been reported that Israel has offered humanitarian support to Lebanon despite the country being considered an enemy state. There are no coincidences as to when events happen. They always correlate to the weekly portion.
In Parshat Ekev Moses continues his closing address to the children of Israel, promising them that if they will fulfil the commandments of the Torah, they will prosper in the land they are about to conquer and settle in keeping with G‑d’s promise to their forefathers.
By Israel reaching out to Lebanese citizens displaying compassion despite the previous wars they are showing the world that Israel is deeply committed to the sanctity of life which is a value at the core of Judaism. It is these acts more than investments in start-up tech (etc) that guarantees Israel’s prosperity
The opening phrase Ekev is highly unusual. It translates as “because” as in Because you hearken to these laws (Deuteronomy 7:12)
But the usual word would be “Ki”. This leads numerous commentators to dig under the surface for greater meaning. The same letters pronounced different give the work Akav meaning a heel.
Rashi interprets as an allusion to those mitzvot which a person tramples with his heels—the Torah is telling us to be equally diligent with all of G‑d’s commandments, no less with those that seem less significant to our finite minds.
Whilst it is impossible for us to keep all the Mitzvot and Halachot perfectly, I think Rashi is teaching us a very profound point.
Hashem is One and indivisible. Although there are times we must prioritise one Mitzvah over another, in essence every Mitzvah however small comes from the same infinite source.
This means we must never undervalue the importance of the small things and their power to impact us positively and help us spiritually grow.
Take for example Benching after we eat a meal (washing for bread). The Mitzvah of grace after meals is sourced in this week’s Torah portion!
“And you shall eat and you shall be satiated and you shall bless” (which we recite in the second blessing of Benching)
It can seem like a small thing reciting a formula in our familiar benching tune. But actually when we bench it is an opportunity to really grow close to Hashem who is the source of our nourishment.
It all depends on how we approach the benching.
If we perform it out of rote then the words go through us
But if we take our time (at least on the first blessing) then the words transform us and we become more grateful, happier and fulfilled in our lives.
So next time you bench give yourself permission to internalise the words and themes and let it transform your life!