Parashat Eikev 5783

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

This Shabbat, August 5, is Parashat Eikev, the third Torah Reading in the Book of Deuteronomy, Sefer Devarim, the final book of the Chamesha Chumshei Torah, the Five Books of Moses; our WWOT needs to do some catch up! The first parashah, Torah Reading, in the Book of Deuteronomy, Parashat Devarim, (read on Shabbat July 22, 2023) highlights three central ideas, God, Torah and Israel, that we must always keep in mind when thinking about the reason why arevut, responsibility is so important.  Let us keep in mind that our origins are that God has chosen Israel as God’s people, and we have to remember that this is a sacred relationship between God and Israel. The solidification of that relationship was seen in the second parashah in the Book of Deuteronomy, Parashat Vaetchanan (read on Shabbat July 29), with God giving B’nai Israel, the Children of Israel, the Ten Commandments. The very first words of the Ten Commandments, Anochi Adonai Elohecha, I am the Lord your God, reminds us that we are in relationship with God. By being in relationship with God, we have responsibilities, to be partners with God in carrying out the Torah, and following God’s commandments, and improving the world that God has created – Tikkun Olam. 

In this week’s Torah Reading, Parashat Eikev, in Deuteronomy 8:8, we read the Seven Species: eretz chitta oo’tziora v’gefen oo’tiena v’rimon eretz zait shemen oo’devash – “a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey.” This is a very important verse, often quoted, and teaches us many lessons about responsibilities.  The world, land and specifically the land of Israel, have been given to us to take care of; it is our responsibility to preserve this world God has given us. Recycle; reuse; reduce! Perhaps also start composting, if you do not already. 

Another verse in Parashat Eikev that teaches our responsibility to help those with food insecurity and not waste food, which we recite in Birkat Hamazon, the Grace after meals, is the following: v’achalta v’savata oo’berachta et Adonai Eloheicha asher natan lach,  “when you have eaten your fill, give thanks to the Lord your God for the good land and which God has given you.” (Deuteronomy 8:10)