Parshat Eikev 5783
By Rabbi Daniel Reich
LA JOLLA, California — “The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact,” a book by Chip and Dan Heath (New York Times Bestseller, 2017), highlights the fact that not all moments are created equal. Throughout our lives, we encounter various experiences, some of which hold deep meaning and stay with us, while others fade into distant memories. The authors suggest that these memorable moments are often “defining moments” that shape our lives. The intriguing part is that we don’t have to passively wait for these moments to occur; we can actively create them.
As Torah Jews, we are privileged to have a guide, a blueprint, for creating such moments. We possess the Torah and Mitzvot, specifically the 248 “positive” Mitzvot, which offer us 248 distinct opportunities to create these defining moments. Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman ztvk”l (1901-1987), the illustrious Talmid Chacham and founding Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, addressed this idea in one of his Shmooze (sermon to the student body):
“For Tzadikim, each Mitzvah is a ‘powerful moment’ and a precious opportunity. Elevating their lives in this World.” (Sichos Avodas HaLevi, #57)
Adopting this perspective on Mitzvot, treating them as potentially defining moments, can be life-altering. Thus, the rabbis bestow a blessing upon one another, found in the Talmud:
“When the Rabbis would part from each other at R’ Ami’s study hall, and some say it was at R’ Chanina’s study hall, they would say to each other — ‘You shall see your world in your life.’” (Talmud Brachos 17a)
Rabbi Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz of Nikelsburg (1731-1805), the author of Sefer Hafla’ah, Sefer HaMakneh, and Rabbi of Frankfurt, further explains in his homiletic work Panim Yafos (Eikev 11:21) that the rabbis bless each other to embrace this perspective: עולמך תּראה בחייך — “See the opportunities in life.” Embrace each of the 248+ powerful moments we encounter through the performance of Mitzvot, learning Torah, and helping others. These defining moments can change our lives. He derives this explanation from a familiar blessing found in our Parsha (familiar because it is the end of the 2nd paragraph of Shema).
In Parshat Eikev, the Torah discusses the blessing we receive for placing a Mezuzah on our doorposts: “And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates, in order that your days may increase and the days of your children, on the land which Hashem swore to your forefathers, to give them, as the days of heaven above the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:20-21). The last phrase in the blessing is: כימי השמים על הארץ — “as the days of heaven above the earth.” This phrase has sparked much discussion about its meaning. Panim Yafos explains it as a statement of natural correlation rather than an external blessing. When a person lives a life appreciating the incalculable value that each Mitzvah-opportunity offers, there is very little difference between the “world to come” and “this world.”
Rav Ruderman continues by providing additional examples that highlight how the righteous understand the true value of each Mitzvah — as an opportunity. Here are a few:
Example #1: Rebbe Akiva’s Last Powerful Moment
After Rebbe Akiva was arrested and sentenced to execution by the Romans for teaching Torah, the Gemara tells us that he seized a defining moment during his final moments in the world.
“When they took R’ Akiva out to face his execution, it was the time of the recital of the Shema, and they were combing his flesh with iron combs, yet R’ Akiva was accepting upon him the yoke of the heavenly kingdom. His students asked him — ‘Our teacher, even to this extent?’ R’ Akiva said to them, ‘All my days I was troubled by this verse, ‘with all your soul’ meaning even if he takes your soul. I said to myself, when will the opportunity come to my hands?’” (Talmud Brachos 61b)
It is crucial to note the word Rebbe Akiva used to describe his reasoning for fulfilling the Mitzvah of saying the Shema and accepting the yoke of heaven under these horrific circumstances. Rebbe Akiva genuinely felt distraught, הייתי מצטער, at the possibility that he might not be able to fulfill this mandate in the Torah — to serve Hashem even when one’s soul is departing. For Rebbe Akiva, every Mitzvah was an opportunity for a powerful and defining moment. History has proven that this moment was indeed life-changing, not just for Rebbe Akiva but for the entire Jewish people.
Example #2: Greatness Is Defined by Understanding the Value of Each Mitzvah
The Talmud tells the following story:
“R’ Ill’a said to Ulla: ‘When you go up there (to Eretz Yisrael), inquire after the well-being of my brother Rav Bruna in the presence of the entire group, for he is a great man and rejoices in the performance of Mitzvot.’ Once he connected the redemption blessing to prayer, and the smile did not leave his face all day.” (Talmud Brachos Daf 9b)
The Talmud in several places in Tractate Brachos, later codified in Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 66:8), obligates us to connect the final blessing of the Shema (“Go’al Yisrael”) to the Shemoneh Esrei — צריך לסמוך גאולה לתפילה. One might assume that this seemingly minor obligation is just that — minor. However, Rav Bruna understood the value of every moment of Avodas Hashem. That is what defines greatness.
Example #3: Each Time We Say the Shema Is Another Potentially Defining Moment
The Talmud makes a powerful statement about the Mitzvah of Shema:
“Rebbe Tanchum, the son of R’ Chiyah from Ako, taught: if someone says Shema twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and they forget even just one night — it is as if they never said Shema in their life.” (Talmud Brachos 63b)
When reading this Gemara, it might seem shocking. How could that be? I missed one “Shema” in my lifetime, and it is as if I have never said the Shema before?! What about all the other times I said Shema? Do they just disappear? For instance, consider someone in their 60s who has said the Shema more than 36,000 times during their lifetime. Then they miss saying the Shema ONE time… and that’s it? It’s as if they have never said the Shema before?
Rav Ruderman explained that this can be understood if we believe that each time we say the Shema, it has the potential to be a powerful and defining moment in itself. If we miss saying the Shema even once, we have missed out on a potentially life-changing event — as if we had never said the Shema in our life!
Embracing this attitude toward Mitzvot — treating them as potentially defining moments — can be life-altering. These powerful moments, or Mitzvot, can elevate and beautify our lives. We just need to be ready for them.
Wishing you a beautiful Shabbos!
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Rabbi Daniel Reich is the rabbi of Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla.