Parsha Points

In Parshat Eikev, Moshe Rabeinu instructs Bnei Yisrael, every which way, about the blessings of obedience and the pitfalls of spiritual lapse. In preparation for entering Eretz Yisrael, Moshe reminds the People that G-d’s promises are actually of the if-then variety. Vitality, safety, prosperity, fertility, health, well-being and military victory are, in fact, conditional. Only by heeding, remembering and following G-d’s laws, will the covenant with its concomitant promises of love and abundance be fulfilled.

Moshe psychologically prepares the Children of Israel that living in the Holy Land will necessitate engaging in war-craft, but not to doubt their military ability. He reassures them that G-d will support them. However, knowing their spiritual weakness, he urges them to not be tempted by idolatry and, surely, any graven images taken as booty in war, must be destroyed. Service to Hashem should remain their raison d’être. (7:12-26)

In Chapter 8, Moshe cautions of another type of spiritual jeopardy that awaits Bnei Yisrael: the risk of amnesia and taking G-d’s gifts for granted. Between the liberation from Egyptian slavery and the 40-year Wilderness Experience, with life-sustaining manna and protectzia, one would think the omnipotent presence of G-d would have been eternally imprinted on the Jewish People, but, as we read in 8:7-10, Israel is a Land of Milk and Honey plus, plus plus. What will happen when the Israelites till the soil and mill their own wheat? Moshe warns them how easily they will attribute affluence to their own labour, rendering G-d’s role indiscernible. Even worse, as secularity in the Ancient World was not an option, Moshe reminds them of the slippery slope, whereby they forget G-d altogether and devolve into paganism, which is a surefire death sentence. (8:10-20)

The next part of Moshe’s speech issues a caveat that G-d is not granting them Eretz Yisrael because they are righteous, but because of the earlier promises to the Patriarchs. As a proof-text that they are undeserving, Moshe reviews their peccadilloes over the years, ie The Golden Calf, the kvetches at Tav’erah (Bam. 11:13), Massah (Shmot 17), and Kivroth Hata’avah (Bam. 11:1-3) and the gloom ‘n doom report of the Scouts. Moshe then poses the essential question: “What does G-d want of you?”; really asking what are the core qualities that make us good human beings in the eyes of G-d? Simply put, G-d wants us to be mitzvah-observing, heart-and-soul worshipers, while walking in the ways of HaShem with reverence and love. C’est tout. (9:1-10:22)

There are textual snippets that you’ll recognize throughout the sedra, from Birkat Hamazon (8:10), the Amidah (10:17) and the Haggadah (10:22), but none will resonate for you like 11:13-21. This is the second paragraph of the Shema: V’haya im shamoa, which we recite twice daily to remind us of our if-then relationship to the Kadosh Baruch Hu: the fate of Am Yisrael depends on the faith of Am Yisrael—and our ability to transmit this to the next generation. Our task is clear. (11:1-25)

On this second Shabbat of Consolation following Tisha B’Av, may we internalize the message of Eikev, that our lives will be a blessing, if and when we follow in G-d’s sweet path.

Shabbat Shalom! Karen Knie-Cahana