D’VAR TORAH for SHABBAT EKEV
This week’s parsha, Ekev, begins with a unique phrase in Hebrew: “If you will heed…” “Ekev tishmaun…” (Deuteronomy 7:12).
The word “ekev” is translated as “if” but it makes more sense if we translate it: “as a consequence of…” In the context of Moses’ speech he means to tell the Children of Israel that as a consequence of listening to the Torah’s teachings, doing mitzvot and being loyal to God and the Jewish People good things will happen. Interesting note – the word also means heel of the foot. If we are sure-footed in our Jewish commitments then God will be good to us.
The next word in the opening phrase of the parsha is tishmaun. The root is the same as the Shema prayer – “to hear.” But this use of the root goes beyond just hearing. “If you will HEED the ordinances and safeguard them God will keep the Covenant and shower kindness.” In this case the root shin/mem/ayin, shema – hear – is used to promote obligating oneself to the covenant.
It’s well known that we need to hear good advice and then heed it. If we get good health advice it doesn’t mean anything unless we act on it! And then the challenge is to stay disciplined. And it turns out the same root, the shema root for hear and heed, is the root of the word discipline in Hebrew: mish’ma’at.
When does discipline doing mitzvot and standing up for the Jewish People really pay off? Disciplined activism against antisemitism at universities and Jew-haters in government has shown to be successful. The discipline of soldiers and society in Israel to help one another through challenging times has been remarkable.
The discipline of volunteers in synagogue leadership and those who make minyanim daily and on Shabbat keep Jewish life thriving. “Be among them!” Moses says.
Speaking of building the Jewish People, this Shabbat we’re celebrating a bride and groom to be. Come help make their simhah; let’s celebrate Shabbat together at services!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bolton