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Parsha
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Eikev
In Eikev, Moses continues his exhortations to the Jewish People.
If the Jews observe the Torah, they will enjoy the fulfillment of all the promises made to their forefathers, including prosperity, health and peace.
The Jews must not fear the hostile nations they will encounter in the Promised Land; they need only recall how G-d dealt with Pharaoh, and be confident in His continued protection. However, the Jews must take great care not to fall prey to the influences of paganism.
We must remember the miracles of the forty years in the Desert. Hashem fed us Manna that fell daily from Heaven - something never seen before - to teach us that "Man does not live by bread alone, but by all that emanates from the mouth of Hashem."
The Promised Land is very different from Egypt, which required manual irrigation using water conveyed from the Nile. In Israel, rain will fall from the Heavens and provide all the water we need. There is also another side to this reality, though, expressed in a paragraph which begins with the words "V'haya Im Shamoa," and recited daily as part of the Shema: we are dependent on rain from Heaven - and the rainfall will hinge on our observance of the commandments. If we continue to heed Hashem's Word, we will enjoy prosperity and abundant blessing. If we backslide and and drift away from Hashem, drought, famine and exile will result. But this state of affairs will only be temporary; let us continue to practice the commandments, knowing with certainty that we will one day return to the Land and fulfill our spiritual destiny.
If the Jews observe the Torah, they will enjoy the fulfillment of all the promises made to their forefathers, including prosperity, health and peace.
The Jews must not fear the hostile nations they will encounter in the Promised Land; they need only recall how G-d dealt with Pharaoh, and be confident in His continued protection. However, the Jews must take great care not to fall prey to the influences of paganism.
We must remember the miracles of the forty years in the Desert. Hashem fed us Manna that fell daily from Heaven - something never seen before - to teach us that "Man does not live by bread alone, but by all that emanates from the mouth of Hashem."
The Promised Land is very different from Egypt, which required manual irrigation using water conveyed from the Nile. In Israel, rain will fall from the Heavens and provide all the water we need. There is also another side to this reality, though, expressed in a paragraph which begins with the words "V'haya Im Shamoa," and recited daily as part of the Shema: we are dependent on rain from Heaven - and the rainfall will hinge on our observance of the commandments. If we continue to heed Hashem's Word, we will enjoy prosperity and abundant blessing. If we backslide and and drift away from Hashem, drought, famine and exile will result. But this state of affairs will only be temporary; let us continue to practice the commandments, knowing with certainty that we will one day return to the Land and fulfill our spiritual destiny.