Parshat Ekev; Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25: By Rabbi Denise L. Eger
In this week’s portion, Ekev, Moses reviews the difficulties in the relationship between the desert generation and God. Moses reminds the people about several occasions when their actions placed their relationship with the Eternal in jeopardy. In particular, Moses recounts the actions of the people at Mt. Sinai (or Horeb as it is referred to here in this section) when they built and worshipped the golden calf. Moses describes in great detail the events of that day and of his anger and disappointment and God’s anger and disappointment.
Moses also talks about several other occasions when the Israelites disappointed God and provoked God by their actions and by their lack of faith. “As long as I have known you, you have been defiant toward the Eternal,” says Moses (Deut. 9:24).
Each of the incidents Moses describes is a way to explain why the Israelites are called “a stiff-necked people.” Their stubbornness and their lack of faith are recurring themes in the desert generation.
In truth however, this is a theme that plagues the Jewish people throughout their history. There have been times throughout our history when we as a people have forgotten to put our faith and trust in God. In fact, the traditional explanations for the destruction of both the first and second temple directly link to our lack of faith in God and our faith in our fellow Jews.
All too often we as a people think we know what God wants or in fact, ignore what God wants. We are quick when trouble abounds to cling to God and Judaism and to bind together as a people when the attack comes from outside. But too often we as the Jewish people lapse in our commitment to Klal Yisrael—the entire Jewish people. We fail to respect one another’s commitments to Jewish life. All too often we seek answers outside of our tradition rather than come back to the basics of Jewish life. And yet this portion urges us and Moses’ voice calls to us in this portion to be faithful to the ways of the Torah and God because that idolatry and stubbornness of the desert wanderings almost was our end. Yet, Moses interceded on our behalf. So Moses’ reminds us: “You must revere Adonai you God; Only God shall you worship and God you shall hold fast and by God’s name you shall swear. Adonai is your glory and your God who wrought for you those marvelous, awesome deeds that you saw with your own eyes (Deut. 10:20-21).”
We must imagine the miracles of that time as miracles in our time. Our faithfulness at all times will keep us and uplift us. The promise of that faithfulness will be a “land flowing with milk and honey.” (Deut. 11:9).
Posted by Aaron at July 30, 2007 01:39 PM
