Parshat Ekev; Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25 by Rabbi Denise L. Eger

Moses’ long final discourse continues this week. Moses’ has recounted the good promises of the covenant, the gift of the revelation at Sinai and the promise of the good life in the land of Israel if the People of Israel observe the covenant. The reward will be a land that is rich and fruitful. Moses reminds the people “When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to Adonai your God for the good land which God has given you. (Deut. 8:10). ” This verse is embedded in the Birkat Hamazon, the blessing following a meal which continues to remind us of the covenantal promise embodied in Eretz Yisrael.

But in this portion Ekev, Moses’ weaves in several reminders to the people that God isn’t rewarding the Children of Israel because they are somehow superior to other nations. Yes, they have accepted the covenant but the reward of the Land is soley because God wishes to fulfill God’s end of the promise to our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Through their merit as well as our faithful observance of the covenant God makes way for Israel to enter the Promised Land. “When Adonai your God has thrust them (the other nations) from your path, say not to yourselves, God has enabled me to occupy this land because of my virtues.”(Deut. 9:1). The People Israel cannot let this special relationship to the Divine “go to their head.” It would be easy to somehow assume that our covenantal relationship makes the Jewish people superior. And although we are a treasured people to God, we are not the only ones with a unique relationship to God. But this promise of the land is our promise and God will see to it that the promise is fulfilled.

Moses does remind this generation also that just as God rewards us so too, God’s anger can be provoked as well. Last week Moses recounted the revelation at Sinai. But this week, he continues to recount the full story including the sin of the Golden Calf and the breaking of the first set of the Ten Commandments. Moses’ wants this generation to know the whole story—not just the happy, feel good parts. For if they are to fully understand their role in observing and upholding the covenant—they cannot rely on edited versions of the Truth. So Moses recalls for them his own first hand account, “Thereupon I gripped the two tablets and flung them away with both my hands, smashing them before your eyes. I threw myself down before God- eating no bread and drinking now water forty days and forty nights as before- because of the great wrong you had committed, doing what displeased Adonai and vexing God.” (Deut. 9:17-18).

This group who was about to enter the Promised Land had to know the consequences of sin. And they had to make the connection to their own lives. Whenever children come of age into their adulthood, they have to understand the consequences of their behavior. Their teachers, parents, and concerned adults have an obligation not to whitewash these lessons. This is the difference in reaching maturity and not. Moses’ recounting this moment in the early life of the People Israel helps this new generation understand their task and their journey and their responsibilities. Moses’ helps to make that connection by his question “ And now, O Israel, what does Adonai your God demand of you?” (Deut. 10:12). It is time for this new generation to understand that the previous generation paid dearly for their sin. This generation has an opportunity to go beyond their parents and grandparents and learn a different lesson – “ Revere Adonai your God, walk in God’s paths, to love God and to serve Adonai your God with all your heart and soul, keep Adonai’s commandments and laws which I enjoin upon you today, for your good.” (Deut. 10:12-13).

Now today if we would only heed that message!

Posted by Lee at August 11, 2006 01:33 PM