SAN DIEGO — In this week’s Torah parshah, Eikev, Moses continues to remind the Jewish people about all that God had provided for them. God freed them from slavery, fed them throughout their long journey in the desert, provided water, gave them the Ten Commandments and brought them to the land promised to Abraham long ago.
Moses reminds them to obey the laws and traditions and to teach them to their children. Once the Jewish people cross over to the land of milk and honey, and if they continue to follow God’s rules, they will have everything they desire. Their lives will become easy and they will be content. This could create a big problem. If everything is good, it is easy to take it for granted that the good will always continue no matter what one does. Moses warns the people to continue following God’s laws. If they stray, if they decide they don’t have to do what the Torah tells them to do, then God will grow angry. Moses reminds them to be thankful and never forget: what God has given them, God can also take away.
What you can do: There are many people in your life who take care of you and try to make sure you have everything you need to be healthy and happy. It is good to remember to thank them often.
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Marcia Berneger is a retired elementary school teacher as well as a teacher at Torah school. She is the author of such children’s books as Buster the Little Garbage Truck, and A Dreidel in Time.