Parasha Eikev
SAN DIEGO — “But you must remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you strength to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant which He swore to your forefathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:180).
This “you must,” is a clear element in our conditional covenant with Hashem. Yes, conditional on our compliance and faithfulness. Loyalty to this covenant and to the observance of the mitzvot are themes of Parashat Eikev.
Are we aware and grateful, or do we live with an incorrect mindset believing that we are deserving, that it is coming to us, entitled? Being humble, not taking our prosperity for granted, isn’t easy for some, even for those who mumble their way through the grace after meals, the Birkat HaMazon after a meal. Those who claim they are humble are often by definition, the ones who are least humble. Particularly when life is good, this week’s Torah reading teaches us to remember our humble beginnings, who gives us our good life, and who helps us achieve what we have.
After eating a fine meal at a friend’s home, we go out of our way to thank the host, send a thank you note, sometimes even send a gift after the meal, if we haven’t brought one in advance. But how much time do we spend thanking the true Host? In Birkat HaMazon, we have an opportunity to bring this week’s teaching alive, “And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless the Lord, your God, for the good land He has given you” (Deuteronomy 8:10). If you believe Hashem plays a personal role in your life and you genuinely recognize that whatever you have comes through His hand, you’re likely to be filled with Hakarat Hatov, recognizing the good, gratitude.
In 2014, I wrote in a health publication that “gratitude is medicine.” “If you are deeply thankful: you count your blessings, notice the simple joys of daily life, acknowledge everything you have in positive ways and you are more likely to engage in healthier behaviors and take better care of yourself.” We learn in Pirke Avot 4:1, “Who is rich? Those who rejoice in their own portion.” Of course we can grouse about what we don’t have. But why not follow this teaching, and the lesson of the Hasidic teacher Rebbe Nachman of Breslov who writes, “Gratitude rejoices with her sister joy and is always ready to light a candle and have a party. Gratitude doesn’t much like the old cronies of boredom, despair and taking life for granted.” Seems these teachings are telling us that being humble, being grateful, helps us live healthier and with greater wellbeing.
This week’s parasha, with its attention to gratitude, comes at a suitable time, particularly during this pandemic with all of its opportunities. We know the Hebrew word for blessing is bracha. But did you know that this word is anchored in the same root as the word for knee in Hebrew, berech? In other words, when you say a bracha, you are using your berech, your knee, to kneel in gratitude. While some bend their knee in opposition, we bend ours in recognition and gratitude to Hashem. Indeed, when Leah named her fourth son, Yehuda, meaning, “Now I will thank Hashem,” we became Yehudim, people who thank.
Are you a thankful person? Do you recognize His hand in your life on a moment to moment basis? Do you appreciate that every breath you take, the one you just took now reading these words, and now and now, these breaths, are in His hand? Thank someone for a delicious meal? How about for your breathing? And for your beating heart? And yes, even for the delicious meal, too? What are you most grateful for in your life? Who do you ultimately thank? Read this week’s parasha carefully, and you’ll see the answer to this question is clear. Baruch Hashem.
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Michael Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly d’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family worship. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com