Parshat Eikev-Focus on Eretz Yisrael-‘Start-up nation’

(Dvar torah @ Hashkamah minyan@ Sons of Israel,Cherry Hill N.J. 5778)

A question that has bothered me for many years is to try and explain the amazing growth and development BH of the Jewish presence in Eretz Yisrael(‘start-up nation’). Do we have a spiritual answer to this question as we read the parshiot which are all focusing us towards Eretz Yisrael, that we are reading at the moment. How would Moshe have answered this question?

We read this week in the parsha the second pp. of the ‘shema’.Last week we read the first pp.

Meshech Chochmah quotes from the Sifre which compares the beginning of the 2nd pp. to the theme of the first pp. and asks as to the thematic difference between the two paragraphs.The Sifre says that the first pp. is about Torah study, whereas the second pp. is about Torah observance and practical Mitzva observance. ‘kan leTalmud-kan lema’aseh’.

Furthermore the punishment for non-observance is mentioned in the second pp. referring to asiyat hamitzvot and no punishment is mentioned in the first pp. The Meshech Chochma explains this by saying this is telling us that punishment comes when Mitzva observance is by itself and is without Torah study. Idolatry can take over and this is the warning. However when the Mitzva observance goes together with Torah study, then it is much less likely that idolatry and punishment will ensue. Torah study is the key to our true existence in Eretz Yisrael and together with mitzvah observance can give us the strength we need to survive and grow in the land of Israel.

With this approach we can answer the famous question on the statement of R.Shimon Bar Yochai, when explaining the gathering of crops as mentioned in our parsha.The Gemara in Brachot (35b) wonders how we are collecting our crops when it says elsewhere (in sefer Yoel) that it will be done for us by others.The answer is given that we have to do it ourselves as we are ‘not doing the will of God’. All commentatries ask as to how this is possible, when the first words of the pp. refers to our listening to the words of God? Meshech Chochmah explains that even if we listen and observe Mitzvot, if there is no learning of Torah in our land, then this is called ’not doing the will of God’. Torah learning together with mitzvah observance is the true recipe for our continued presence in Israel and this is the message and explanation of today’s phenomenon of growth in all areas of  Israeli life. Torah study has become an amazing miracle in Israel and the question/challenge for the next generation is to get it to a level of sustainability , which it is clearly beyond at the moment. The Jewish existence is always the strongest when learning and Mitzva observance go together.

I would add that if there is a theme of sustainability and growth in our parsha, then we can find hints to this from the beginning of the Parsha as well.

The word EKEV is seemingly superfluous and Rashi says it is a remez to keep Mitzvot which we may consider’ weaker ‘and less

important .All Mitzvot are important especially in Israel. The Bal Haturim takes it further by saying that EKEV is gematria of 172 which is the number of words in the 10 Commandments. This is another hint at the need for Torah study and observance, especially as we claim that all of the mitzvoth are encapsulated in the 10 Commandments and we must study them very carefully (Resag etc)

The word EKEV can also refer to the concept of ‘ikvi’ which means consistency .Especially in Torah study it is not the time but the constant commitment which is so important. K’va itim latorah-again the word EKEV can be reformatted to produce the word ‘kva’. I would also add the reformatted  word ‘beka’ which alludes to the importance of each individual in the Jewish world, especially in Israel, where we see the amazing lengths that the gov can go to bring back even one soldier from captivity, who may have already died and is being honored with a formal burial, something which the enemy does not respect at all.”Everyone on the bus looks like an uncle/aunt ,relative etc.’.

The first pasuk becomes a guide to both Torah study and Mitzva observance , which will always be the key to our future. These must go together and our new year resolutions will hopefully include further commitment to Torah study, both supporting Torah in Israel and becoming more involved here as well. This I believe would be Moshe’s only answer to our original question. ‘Grow both in observance and Torah study to gain future success’.

 Let us hope that with increased study and observance in Israel and beyond, the future will continue to look bright, as we go towards the ultimate time of true commitment with the coming of Mashiach BBO.