B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 17, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / August 4, 2023
This week’s Parsha, Aikev, records Moshe's words of guidance to the Jewish people before his death.
Moshe reminds the people that if they keep G-d’s commandments, G-d will fulfill His promises to them. He also tells them that all their trials and tribulations, during their forty years in the desert, were likened to a father reprimanding his son when he goes astray. It is out of G-d’s love that He does whatever necessary to make them go in the right path so that they would observe His commandments.
Moshe says to them, “Now Israel, what does G-d, your G-d, demand of you? Only to fear G-d, your G-d; to follow all His ways; to love Him; to serve G-d with all your heart and with all your soul.”
The mitzvah of reciting the Grace-after-Meals is also found in this Parsha, “And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the L-rd your G-d for the good land which He had given you."
Q. Moshe tells the Jewish people that loving G-d and serving Him with all your heart and soul and performing all the commandments is easy. How so?
A.It all depends how we look at it. Our sages tell us that Torah and mitzvot are like gold and diamonds. If we have that attitude, then the more mitzvot we observe, the more we benefit and the wealthier we become spiritually.
Our sages teach us in Pirkei Avot: “The Holy One blessed be He, wished to make the people of Israel meritorious; therefore, He gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance.”
Two people were walking on the road on a very hot day, each carrying a heavy load. One is carrying rocks and the other diamonds. They were both sweating and bent over with their heavy load.
As they were walking, the one carrying the rocks saw more rocks, but he was too tired and didn’t even bother to pick them up. But when the one carrying the diamonds saw more diamonds, although his load wasn’t any lighter, he was so happy to add more and more diamonds to his load!
It is the same with Torah and mitzvot. It all depends how we view them. If we see them as rocks, then they do become heavy and burdensome. But if we value them as diamonds, then the more the better. Their value makes all the effort worthwhile.
Q. The Grace-after-Meals consists of four blessings. Who instituted these four blessings?
A. Mosheinstituted the first blessing. This was instituted when the Jewish people received the manna in the desert. Joshua established the second blessing, upon entering the Land of Israel. King David and King Solomon established the third blessing. The fourth blessing was instituted after the destruction of the Second Temple.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:00 / Shabbat ends: 9:08