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Family Parsha Thoughts 5783

11/10/2022 11:00:35 AM

Nov10

Parshat Eikev

07/31/2023 10:43:03 AM

Jul31

EIKEV                                                            Rebbetzin Shelly Portnoy

          Parshat Eikev begins with the words:  “Ve’hayah eikev tishme’un et ha’mishpatim ha’eileh u’shemartem va’assitem otam ve’shamar Hashem Elokecha lecha et ha’brit ve’et ha’chessed asher nishbah la’avotecha” - ‘This shall be the reward when you hearken to these ordinances and you observe and perform them: Hashem, your G-d, will safeguard for you the covenant and the kindness that He swore to your forefathers,’  Rashi says that the word ‘eikev’ also means heel, and the Torah is alluding to those mitzvos which people do not consider so important and they tend to ‘tread upon with their heels.’  The Torah is teaching us that if we are careful in keeping these neglected mitzvos, Hashem will reward us with His covenant and kindness.

          Rabbi Morcechai Gifter tells us that people tend to judge the level of their mitzvah performance according to the way in which they perform what they consider to be ‘big’ mitzvos - those mitzvos that occur less often or those that they consider to be more elevating and important.  However, the way in which one fulfills the so-called ‘big’ mitzvos does not attest to one’s spiritual standing because it is more natural for one to be zealous in their fulfillment.  Even people who are not so spiritual or observant will often do these mitzvos impressively and make all kinds of preparations to ensure their precise performance. 

          If we really wish to evaluate our mitzvah performance, however, the true gauge is the way in which we perform the ‘smaller’ or ‘regular’ everyday mitzvos.  This is because when it comes to mitzvos that are applicable on a regular basis or those that are not deemed to be so important, people tend to perform them without much forethought, and even sometimes by rote.  Yet these are the very mitzvos which indicate our level in mitzvah fulfillment because they show whether or not we are performing mitzvos with intent. 

          Furthermore, the ‘smaller’ mitzvos attest to the true level on which the ‘big’ mitzvos’ are performed.  If a person does the ‘smaller’ mitzvos with intent and precision, it indicates that the precision and intent that he incorporates into his performance of the ‘bigger’ mitzvos does not stem simply from his natural reverence for ‘big’ mitzvos.  Rather, it stems from a genuine high level of mitzvah fulfillment.

          We find a similar concept in Pirkei Avos.  Chapter 2, Mishnah 1 tells us:  “Ve’hevai zahir be’mitzvah kallah ke’ba’chamurah, she’ain attah yodeiah mattan secharan shel mitzvot” - ‘Be as scrupulous in performing a ‘minor’ mitzvah as in a ‘major’ one, for you do not know the reward given for the respective mitzvos.’  Rashi says that Hashem did not specify the rewards for each mitzvah so that a person should not concentrate on those mitzvos for which the reward is greater and neglect the mitzvos for which the reward is not as great.  Rambam says that we must perform all of the positive mitzvos with equal care and enthusiasm.  If the Torah did not specify the reward for any positive mitzvah, then man is in no position to assess them.  One should perform mitzvos simply because they are willed by Hashem.

          Chapter 4, Mishnah 2, tells us:  “Ben Azai omer: Hevai ratz le’mitvah kalah, u’voreiach min ha’aveirah” - ‘Ben Azzai said: “Run to perform even a ‘minor’ mitzvah, and flee from sin.’  Rashi says that there is no such thing as a ‘minor’ mitzvah.  Every mitzvah is important.  The performance of any mitzvah, even those perceived as minor, will lead to the performance of another mitzvah, even one that is deemed more difficult.  When a person does a mitzvah or a good deed, it becomes easier to do another one.  Rabbeinu Yonah says that each time a person performs a mitzvah, he draws closer to Hashem and becomes conditioned to obey His will, even in the most difficult situations.  And so, we learn from all this that every mitzvah is important and performing them brings us closer to Hashem.  May we all continue to serve Hashem by performing all the mitzvos of the Torah so that we may merit to see the coming of Moshiach, bi’mehaira be’yamainu.  Amen!

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784