Weekly Parsha

This Weekly Study is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Arie Kowler and family in memory of her grandparents , Feibel ben Chaskel Shraga and Feigue Ben David, Yohrtzeit . May your Neshama have an Aliyah.

Mazal Tov : Leonardo Hessing

Ore por Refuah Sheimah: Stephen Waczkiewicz (Shimon ben Sarah), Yossefa (Josie) "bat Sharon", Rafael ben Gladis e Esther Bracha "bat Sarah".

Continue praying for: Teddy Welz, Miriam (Mariana) "bat Zulay", Adina (Heidi) "bat Sarah" e Yosefa (Josie) "bat Sharon".

Ekev

Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25

Parashat Ekev  (“As a result”) is the 46th weekly Torah portion in the Jewish annual cycle of Torah reading.

Moshe continues his speech assuring the Jewish people of prosperity and good health if they follow the Mitzvot, the commandments. It reminds us to look at our history and know that we can and should trust G-d. However, we must be careful not to get distracted by our material success, lest we forget and ignore G‑d.

Moshe warns us against idolatry (the definition of idolatry is the belief that anything but G‑d has power) and against self-righteousness - "Don't say because of my virtue that G‑d brought me to possess this land." ... the wickedness of these nations that G‑d is driving them out from before you." (Deuteronomy 9:5). He then details our rebellions against Gd during the 40 years in the wilderness and the giving of the Second Tables (Moshe broke the first Tables containing the Ten Commandments during the Golden Calf sin).

This week's portion dispels a common misconception . People think that "man does not live by bread alone" means that a person needs additional food besides bread to survive. The quote in its entirety is: "Man does not live by bread alone...but by everything that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy 8:3).

The Torah then answers a question every human being has asked himself: What does G‑d want from you? "Only that you remain in reverence for G‑d, your Lord, that you may follow all His ways and love Him, serving G‑d, your Lord, with all your heart and with all your soul. You must keep God's commandments and decrees...all good will be yours" (Deut 10:12).

* * *

"For if you diligently keep all these commandments which I command you to do, then love the Lord your G-d and walk in all his ways and hold fast to him..." (Deuteronomy 11:22).

How does one "cling to the Almighty"?

The Torah tells us that even someone who observes all the commandments and has attained the attribute of loving G‑d, must imitate G‑d ("walking in all His ways") in order to cling to Him. Emulating Gd means being compassionate and bestowing kindness on others. He is merciful, so we must be merciful, He bestows kindness, so we must bestow kindness.

One might think that a person who loves G‑d need only devote himself to prayer and Torah study and by this means he will cling to G‑d. We see in this verse, however, that an essential ingredient in clinging to G‑d is caring for our fellow human beings. And if we care about our neighbor, we wouldn't freely talk about him, would we?

People won't care what you say - unless they know you care.

Don't tell G-d how big your problems are - tell your problems how big G-d is.

If you want happiness – don't seek happiness. Seek meaning.

Shabat Shalom!

R. Tank

online learning

FREE : Jewish Law (Two Halachot per day)

You can choose to learn in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.

WhatsApp +1 (917) 834-4770 for more information. 

Rabbi Tank is a professor at the American Jewish College, where he teaches classes on Talmud, Jewish History, and Contemporary Jewish Law. Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern utility and meaning in ancient wisdom texts and is pleased to provide spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming to communities around the world. 

Rabbi Tank was educated at Chabad Yeshivas in New York and Miami. He majored in Biblical Archeology at Bar Ilan University and at Harvard in Jewish Studies. He graduated in Business Administration and also graduated in International Economic Development from the University of Oxford. 

Rabbi Tank is actively involved in peace negotiations and relief operations and is a member of the White House National Religious Leaders , an Executive Office of the President of the United States .

Question ? 

Ask Rabbi Tank _