VOLUME 117 NUMBER 3
Av 21, 5785
August 15, 2025
Parshas Eikev
Candlelighting Time 7:38
We read in the parsha the second paragraph of the Shema. We say that if we will perform all the mitzvos properly Hashem will provide us with rainfall and we will harvest crops enabling us to have sufficient resources. The Talmud states that when we follow the will of Hashem then we will merit that others will do our work. Therefore, the question arises that since this paragraph of the Shema begins that if we will do Hashem’s will then we will have a bumper crop and enjoy the fruits of our labor which we will harvest, why aren’t others doing it for us as the Talmud states?
The Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva Rav Elya Boruch explains what is missing in our serving of Hashem. Of course, we are discussing in the Shema one who is very particular and precise in doing the mitzvos, however, there still is a higher level at which to properly serve Hashem. We must not only observe the mitzvos in their totality, but additionally we must strive to fulfill His Will.
Zohar quoted by RamChal states that who is considered to be a pious one, one who does the will of Hashem. This is best understood with an example. The distinction between a child and a slave is that the slave is performing his master’s work because he must since he is enslaved. But the son who does for his father whatever he needs and whenever he needs it, is performing his father’s needs because that is what he wants to do. So too, in the Shema of course we are discussing someone who observes all the mitzvos, but is his performance rooted in the protocol of serving Hashem because that is what is expected from him or does he really do the mitzvos because he wants to perform them. Although this may seem a slight nuance in the person’s conduct, it is truly a significant point. As the author of the Duties of the Hearts states that the exact same action will vary in a very profound fashion based upon the intent that motivates that particular deed. In this scenario not only is the deed dramatically singular but more important the impact upon the individual is extremely diverse. One is performing a mitzvah albeit because of the Torah’s dictum but his modus operandi is basically self-serving because his interest is in fulfilling an obligation. Whereas the person serving Hashem has accessed a level of performance that will inevitably bring him closer to Hashem and therefore elevate his very essence.
Nefesh HaChaim makes another interesting point that the Shema is discussing someone who indeed fulfills the mitzvos to their fullest however he also diverts his attention and therefore his activities somewhat to pursuing a livelihood to support himself. Although there may be a need due to his financial situation, however, the mere fact that he has involved himself in the world of business even to a small extent will serve to affect his closeness to Hashem and therefore that’s why the verse mentions someone, meaning an individual, removing himself from the majority of people who are fully invested and immersed in their mitzvah activities without any exception whatsoever. This also demonstrates that a person even in a somewhat limited fashion turning ‘away’ from the Torah is removed from the group of those who did not compromise their principles and values at all.
`A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The Torah exhorts the father to teach his son but the pronunciation of the word stating that obligation can be read in two ways. The correct reading obligates the father to teach his son Torah but the reading based upon the letters of the word exhort the father that not only should he teach his son, but additionally he must also study Torah and not abandon his own obligation. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABB0S
