Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)

Summary

Moses continues and concludes his second discourse to the Israelites as they stand in Moab on the east side of the River Jordan. Moses’ is preaching around the first two commandments, stressing the love of the One God of Israel.

Commentary

“They are your people and your inheritances (Deut 9:29)”

R. Berekhiah, in the name of R. Levi told the parable of a king who had a vineyard that he turned over to a tenant. When the vineyard produced good wine, the king used to say, “How good is the wine of my vineyard!” When it produced bad wine he used to say, “How bad is my tenant’s wine!” So the tenant said to him, “My lord king, when the vineyard produces good wine, you say it is yours, but when it produces bad wine, you say it is mine. Yet good or bad, the wine is still yours.”

Likewise, the Holy One first said to Moses, “Come now…that you may bring forth My people (Ex 3:10).” But after Israel did that deed of theirs (the golden calf), what did the Eternal One say? “Go get you down, for your people…have dealt corruptly (Ex 32:7).” When they sin You say they are mine and only when they are free from sin do You say they are Yours. Yet sinful or sinless, they are still Yours - “They are your people and your inheritances (Deut 9:29)”

This midrash (classical Rabbinic commentary and interpretation of the Torah) based on a quote from our sidrah (this week’s specified Torah reading) notes that God at times refers to the Israelites as, “My people,” and at other times, “your (i.e. Moses’) people.”

There may have been times in the last month that we had wished we were not identified with a certain group of Jews because of their views or their actions. We may have had problems with the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces, the views of those who subscribe to Jewish Friends of Palestine or, been in argument with friends and family over the crisis. However, one thing that we cannot escape is the fact that we are all actually Am Yisrael, part of the people, Israel. Either because we always feel that or that at this time of strife it is real. In circulation in Israel at this time are e mails pointing out how unified the State of Israel is, whilst just over one month ago, deep divisions were developing over many issues.

In the period following Tisha b’Av (a day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of the Temples and other disasters that occurred to the Jews) which was last Thursday, we read a series of haftarot (readings from the Prophets) of consolation. Most famously, the first one begins, nachamu, nachamu ami, yomar elohaychem, “Comfort My people, comfort them, says your God (Isaiah 40:1).” Let us hope and pray that we and all the people of Israel shall soon once more be sheltering under God’s sukkat shalom, sheltering of peace, along with all our fellow human beings.

In the meantime, let us keep ourselves as well informed as possible and act whenever we are able. Please see www.liberaljudaism.org for more details.

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