Episode 8 – Eikev: Heels, Little Things, and Big, Big Things |
This week on L’Dor V’Dor, we explore Parshat Eikev, named for the “heel.” We ask: what does it mean to be a heel in the Torah? And what are the easy mitzvot we trample underfoot, as Rashi suggests?
Where last week’s parsha spoke of our love for God, this week focuses on God’s love for us and for the Land of Israel. Eikev challenges us to see the big significance in small acts: the “light” commandments, humility, gratitude, and memory.
We discuss:
• The mitzvot we overlook — and why they matter
• What it means to remember the whole journey, not just the destination
• The order of blessing and satisfaction in our meals and throughout in our lives
• Humility, haughtiness, and the Midrash on why the Torah was given at Sinai
• The centrality of the Land of Israel in Jewish spiritual life
• Is mitzvah observance in the diaspora just “practice” for the Land?
• If God promises reward and punishment, how do we understand Jewish suffering?
• Can we do cheshbon nefesh or are these things beyond our understanding?
• Why are God's promises so physical and this-worldly — and what does that say about our agency in the covenant?
| Parshat Eikev 5785
Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25 | Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14–51:3 |
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