Commentary on Torah portion Ekev

Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25

printed in the Arizona Jewish News August 15, 2014

“In the Footsteps of…” 

Every year when I meet again this rich narrative, a continuation of the second of Moses' three farewell talks to Israel before his death, I delight in the poetic words of promise and continuity.  Yet, It is so hard for me this week to write of the Torah portion Ekev, while listening to the news of Operation Tzok Eitan – Operation Protective Edge – in Israel, as yet another shaky ceasefire is about to go into effect.

Ekev can mean “on the heels of,” “following,”  “because of,” “as a result of,” or even “in the footsteps of.”  Moses speaks to the young generation about to enter the Promised Land about all that happened to Israel in their forty years of wandering in the wilderness.  They must remember the Torah teachings given at Mt. Sinai, and must adhere to faith in One God. If they do, it will follow that they will maintain the covenant and enjoy good health, abundant produce from the land, fertility among their people, flocks, and assurance of overcoming enemies.  What does God require of Israel for all of His generosity?  Only that they love and serve God and live by the commandments revealed to them (Deut. 10:12).

 Last week in Ve-etchanan we heard a repetition of the Shema and the beginning of the Ve’ahavta prayer. This week’s portion includes Vehaya im shamoa, the second paragraph following Ve’ahavta in our prayer service, telling of the connection between moral, ethical, treatment of people and the environment with the result of abundant rain and crops (Deuteronomy 11: 13-21).   Moses warns (Deut. 8:10) that we shouldn’t take this gift of fruitful crops for granted and take personal credit for successful harvests, but rather must remain as grateful for the miracle of growth of our food as we were for receiving the Manna in the desert. Thus, at our tables we are to say a blessing, not only before we eat, but after we are sated, in what developed into the Birkat Hamazon, the grace after a meal.

 But this year, as we reach Ekev, I want to cry out, “It isn’t fair!” Our people have tried to keep the commandments and settle the Land of Israel, developing a flourishing, democratic society, not perfect, but filled with miraculous growth, an ingathering of the exiles, with incredible advances in agriculture.  And still, we are attacked by enemies.  Should we blame ourselves and say we have not been moral enough?  We haven’t kept our covenant strongly enough? Is there another  people that examines its own actions in a conflict instead of only vilifying the "other" and that tries to avoid causing damage and death?  Our enemies press us with rocket fire, and world opinion condemns Israel for retaliating forcefully causing unfortunate loss of life.  We wish for peace, and to enjoy the Land of Milk and Honey, sharing its bounty in gratitude with all inhabitants. 

There are layers of meaning and lessons to draw from each week’s Torah reading and the commentaries from the sages. The Torah also lives within us; its messages and teachings are intertwined with current events and challenges we face personally and as a people in the outside world.   So this week, my pain and dismay at the suffering caused by war are somewhat offset by the miracles that have abounded,  showing the Hand of God,  despite the continual red alerts and shut down of normal daily life in the Southern part of Israel.  Dan Gordon, Captain in the IDF reserves, and a JCSVV member, reported incredible stories from the border with Gaza, some of which were printed in this paper and in its online guest blog section. We so deeply aim to build, not destroy; to fulfill the promise of Ekev. 

We pray that we may walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, reaping the rewards for attempting, through many avenues, to keep the commandments, and sensing hope and faith during these Seven Weeks of Consolation leading up to the time of repentance, repair, and renewal in the Jewish New Year.