B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 17, 5780 / August 7, 2020
This week’s Parsha, Aikev, is the third Parsha of the fifth and last Book of the Torah – Deuteronomy.
The Parsha begins, “Ve’haya Aikev Tishmeun” – “And it will be that as a result of your listening to G-d’s laws, caring and observing them, then G-d, your G-d, will keep His promise to you and the covenant and kindness which He swore to your fathers. He will love you, He will bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your soil, your grain, your wine your oil, your cattle’s offspring and your flocks, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give to you..”
In these Parshiot, Moshe, leader of the Jewish people, before his passing, speaks to his flock with great passion and reminds them that if they want to inherit the promised Land and live there forever, they must adhere to G-d’s commandments and observe the Torah and mitzvot.
Moshe was forbidden to go into Israel because he hit the rock instead of addressing it. Knowing that he will not enter the Promised Land, Moshe spends his final days preparing the Jewish people for the future. He cautions them to adhere to all the mitzvot for their physical and spiritual good and welfare.
Our sages tell us that the name of the Parsha, Aikev, can also be translated as a “heel.” This refers to mitzvot which may seem insignificant; like something of little value which, “one steps on it with their heel.” When Moshe reminds the Jewish people to be careful in their adherence to Torah and Mitzvot, he uses the expression “Aikev,” to teach them that one has to be as careful with the mitzvot which seem “insignificant” as with those which one understands their importance.
There are two mitzvot in the Torah for which G-d promises the reward of long life; honoring parents and sending away the mother bird before taking its young.
The Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai says, “The reason G-d revealed the reward for these two mitzvot is that from these two mitzvot one can understand the great reward for all mitzvot.”
“Honoring parents is a mitzvah which, in many cases, takes much personal effort to perform. Sending away the mother bird is considered one of the easiest mitzvot to perform. Yet, the Torah tells us that the reward for both of these mitzvot is long life. From the reward of these two mitzvot,” says Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, “we understand how great is the reward for all the mitzvot, no matter whether they seem difficult or easy; significant or insignificant.”
SHABBAT SHALOM & MAY HASHEM KEEP YOU & YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY AND SAFE
Montrealcandle lighting time: 7:55 / Shabbat ends: 9:02
In loving memory of Bernie Kornbluth – Ben Zion ben Schneur - of blessed memory.
Yartzeit was on the 16th of Menachem Av. May his soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.
From his children, grandchildren & great grandchildren