Parshat
Ekev
20 Av 5767
August 4, 2007
Daf Yomi: Yevamos 93
Guest
Rabbi:
Rabbi Shaul Gold
Young Israel of Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY
The second
paragraph of Shema, which we read in today's Parsha, requires us
to assume responsibility of fulfilling all of G-d's mitzvot and
makes us aware of the rewards and consequences of their
performance or lack thereof. The last of the rewards is
“V’achalta V’savatah”, " and you will eat and you will be
sated". Rashi explains that the uniqueness of this blessing is
that a minimal amount of food will elicit a maximum of
satisfaction.
Immediately following this blessing the Torah exhorts us, "Hishamru
lachem, pen yifteh livavichem,", "Guard yourselves, lest your
hearts be deceived (and you will turn aside and serve other
gods)." Rashi points out that the juxtaposition of these two
phrases "and you will eat and you will be sated" with "Guard
yourselves" teaches us that when people rebel against G-d, it is
generally an outgrowth of being too satisfied. A hungry person
looks to HaShem for Divine assistance. A satisfied individual
tends to forget the sources of his bounty.
To further bolster his theory, Rashi brings a proof from an
earlier posuk in the parsha which states "Pen Toechel V’savatah",
"Lest you eat and be satisfied," V’ramm Livavichem V’shachact es
HaShem Elokecha", "And your heart will become proud and you will
forget HaShem, your G-d". It is clear from this earlier posuk
that there is a definite correlation between being sated and
rebelling against HaShem.
Rashi's explanation requires deeper understating. To begin with,
when Rashi adds a proof to his thesis, he is telling us that the
point would not be clear without the extra proof - yet the point
Rashi made seems clear enough without the added boost from the
earlier Posuk. No new insight is readily apparent with the
addition of the second Posuk. Furthermore, Rashi taught us that
the concept of V’achalta V’savatah is a unique blessing. Yet, it
is that same blessing that sets the groundwork for man's
temptation to rebel against the dominion of HaShem. To
paraphrase a famous saying, with blessings like that, lehavdil,
who needs curses?
Obviously, there is a component missing that will give us
insight into the deep thought Rashi wishes to impart. Let us
analyze the second text Rashi quotes and see if indeed there is
a deeper message to be culled from that passage.
In the beginning of the parsha, HaShem gives us much
encouragement to prepare us for inheriting the Land of Israel.
HaShem reminds us of our servitude in Egypt, of our travels in
the desert, of all that He did to care for us during the last
forty years; and, He describes the beauty and the bounty of the
Land of Israel. Then the posuk tells us "V’achalta V’savatah
Uvarachta es HaShem Elokecha", and "you will eat, and you will
be sated, and you will bless HaShem, your G-d, for the good land
that He gave you."
HaShem, reminds us how important it is to appreciate what we
have and what He has done for us. Man has an infinite capacity
to forget what has been done for him and how much he needs to
appreciate what he has. Perhaps the two hardest words in the
English language to pronounce with utmost sincerity are the
words "Thank You".
When a person is taken ill and is unable to care for himself, he
is struck by the awesome amount of Divine help he has in his
life. I remember visiting a very prestigious Rav shortly after
he suffered a stroke and receiving a lecture from him on the
amount of nerves needed to bend his pinkie finger. Activities
that had been taken for granted his entire life were now
magnified and appreciated for the magnificent present from
HaShem that they always were.
My son is spending his first summer in the Catskill Mountains.
This city boy, who knows how to navigate his one city block on
his bike, having been freed of the confines of the city, was
amazed at the expanse and the freedom in the bungalow colony
where we are staying. The morning after we arrived he was up and
about at the crack of dawn, out of the bungalow, onto his bike,
eagerly exploring every inch of his new found freedom. He
couldn't stop describing all the nuances of each new experience.
It was literally, a new awakening.
A week later we couldn't get him out of bed at 8:30 a.m.; the
novelty had worn off and newer adventures must be sought to
challenge him.
The Torah tells us that when we arrive in Eretz Yisroel we will
be much like my son. We will be excited by all that HaShem has
done for us and we will sense it in every bone of our bodies. As
a result, V’achalta, we will eat, V’savatah, we will be
satisfied and Uverachta, we will be filled with gratitude to
HaShem for all the bounty He bestowed upon us.
Yet, therein lies the challenge that our parsha charges us with.
Can we sustain that level of newness and appreciate what HaShem
continues to give us on a consistent basis? Rashi is teaching us
a profound lesson. It is truly a blessing to want for nothing,
to be fully satisfied, to be completely cared for. Yet although,
V’achalta V’savatah, is a great blessing - it will only remain
so as long as we recognize the blessing within it - and truly
thank HaShem.
However, if we stop at V’achalta, V’savatah, as our posuk does,
and fail to include Uverachta, fail to appreciate HaShem's
bounty and to express sincere gratitude for all He gives us,
then Hishamru Lachem, watch out!! Pen Yifteh Livavichem, lest
your hearts be deceived.
G-d's blessings are infinite. The lesson of our Parsha is to be
aware of the blessings bestowed upon us, to appreciate them, and
to say thank you with utmost sincerity.
Shabbat Shalom.
NCYI's Weekly Divrei Torah Bulletin is
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Rochester, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Circleville, Ohio
