Parashat Eikev 5785

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Moses continues his discourse to the nation as they are poised to enter the promised land, reminding them of all the blessings God will bestow on them if they keep the covenant, as well as the punishments they will receive for engaging in idolatry. He exhorts them to remember all the things that God has done to sustain them during these 40 years in the desert, including the manna that provided their nourishment. Their clothes never wore out and their feet never swelled (Deuteronomy 8:4).

Moses reminds the people of all the times they provoked God, including their idolatry of the golden calf, which caused him to smash the tablets of the law.

This parashah contains several familiar passages, including the second paragraph of the Shema (11:13-21). We also read, “When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to the Eternal your God for the good land given to you.” (8:10) From here we derive the mitzvah of Birkat Hamazon, saying Grace After Meals.

Most importantly, we have the following very short verse: “Love you therefore the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (10:19) Loving the stranger is the most frequently mentioned mitzvah in the Torah, being mentioned 36 times. Five of these, including our verse here, explain that our inspiration for observing this commandment is our own experience of slavery. We know what it feels like to be a stranger, to be the object of hatred. Therefore, we must reach out with love rather than hate, building relationships on common ground instead of being divided by differences. Often easier said than done, but an important mitzvah to observe, especially in times when so much in our world divides us. Oseh shalom, Maker of Peace, may we all strive to bring peace to Your world.