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EKEV

8 Aug 2009

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Isaiah 49:14-51:3

ROM. 8:31-39

Ekev is the Hebrew word meaning, literally, "on the heels of."

We begin with a summary of what occurred previously:

7:12 This shall be the Reward

7:18 Assurance is given that if we remember what G-d has done for us and not fear the peoples that try to bring fear to us then G-d will protect us and bring fear upon our adversaries

8:1 The lesson we learn is that man does not live by bread alone, rather by everything that emanates from the mouth of G-d

8:8 The Seven Species: wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olives and honey (dates),  G-d tells us that we will lack nothing. 8:11 Warns us against the lure of prosperity.

9:1 Reminds us of the Exodus and the Tribulations we went thru the wilderness in order to come to the Promised Land.

10:1 The command to Moses to build A Temporary Ark and the Second Tablets of the law.

10:6 Aaron’s Death

10:12 G-d’s Reconciliation, “Now Israel what does the Lord your G-d ask of you? To fear HaShem your G-d, walk in all His ways

Chapter 11 Our firsthand knowledge of G-d’s miracles, the great virtues of the land and finally we read of the second passage of the Sh’ma ending with the promise that every place where the sole of our feet touch if we observe His commandment (Even from the Wilderness all the way to the Euphrates river), G-d will bless us and remove our adversary.

The HafTorah, Isaiah 49:15-51:3, tells of G-d's unfailing love.  Just as a mother would not forget her child, G-d remembers, consoles, and saves His people.  He will establish His ensign to the peoples of the world (49:22), and will use them to carry the children of Israel back home and back to their G-d.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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