VOLUME 112 NUMBER 3
Av 19, 5784
August 23, 2024
PARSHAS EIKEV
Candlelighting Time 7:26
Hashem constantly monitors the happenings in Israel, His ‘eyes’ are forever there from the beginning of the year until its end. Our Sages question this verse since Hashem always supervises the events of the entire world, not just the Land of Israel. They explain that the entire world’s administration is only a result of how Hashem controls and directs the circumstances in Israel. This observation is quite timely as we view the entire world engaged in the conflict in Gaza, the military build-up of American firepower in the Mediterranean, the Chinese confronting our navy forces, the Iranians threatened if they assist Russia in its war against Ukraine and who knows what tomorrow will bring?! What determines Hashem’s vigilance, upon what is it predicated? Many commentators link this verse with the next one which clearly states that upon fulfillment of the mitzvos we will be rewarded with a bounty of produce. Therefore, Hashem’s beneficence that He bestows upon the Land of Israel and subsequently upon the global arena is not without stipulations. When we deserve Hashem’s bounty, then we receive it. If however our conduct is not in accordance with the Torah, then we are seemingly ignored but not abandoned. Consequently, the people living in Israel are really being measured very keenly because their conduct determines not only their fate but that of the entire world!
However, Meshech Chochma apparently has a different approach to understanding Hashem’s vigilance of the Land of Israel. The verse actually states that Hashem’s ‘eyes’ are constantly watching Israel. The language employed conveys that His observation of Israel is unceasing, denoting whether or not we are actually living there. Even if the entire country is desolate, nonetheless Hashem’s projects His benevolence to this world on the global level through the auspices of the Land of Israel! Of course, the question to ponder is what sustenance is Hashem providing if there is no recipient in Israel? Meshech Chochma does not address this issue and therefore his explanation is somewhat obscure.
Nachmonides defines the Land of Israel in a category unto itself. Activities which are sinful and might be tolerated in other settings, in the Land of Israel they are unacceptable. As the example of Sodom illustrates, their evil conduct which was, of course undisputably cruel and wicked, led them to their oblivion. Hashem’s Presence is more extant in the Land of Israel. Therefore, offending the king in his own palatial quarters carries a much more severe response than if one sins the exact same way but elsewhere. Of course Sodom’s conduct was inexcusable, but other communities also displayed such behavior and were not obliterated. Furthermore, not only was Sodom eliminated, but its fate sealed its reconstruction. It would never be rebuilt as an example of the prominence of Israel that it will bar such sinners from its midst in a harsh manner.
When Hashem warns us of the repercussions of sin, the punishment meted out to Sodom is cited. Was that warning only to the future generations that were to settle in Israel as Nachmonides points out. Perhaps we may suggest that our nation is judged on a scale that far surpasses that of other nations. Indeed, the righteous of our nation are judged on a scale that exceeds the parameters of how the multitudes are looked upon. As we climb out of the despair that Tisha B’av places upon us since we are bereft of the Beis Hamikdash, it is important to prepare for the upcoming Day of Judgment which may appear to be far away but it is closer than you think. Truly Rosh Hashanah is weeks off but the situational crises that we find ourselves to be in is real and threatening, front and center. Let us examine, assess and reset our compasses to adjust to the new reality that we are confronting and search for our way back to Hashem whose compassion and mercy always surrounds us.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The Torah employs the word to accept twice in order to emphasize the importance of unwaveringly and staunchly consenting to perform the mitzvos and in doing so realize love for Hashem.
S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABBOS
WE CONTINUE TO STAND TOGETHER PRAYING THAT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT WE ARE CONFRONTING WILL SOON END. PRESENTLY AS WE PREPARE TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT AND BEYOND IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSTANTLY REMIND OURSELVES THAT ALL THAT IS TAKING PLACE WHETHER IT IS THE PRESEIDENTIAL RACE, THE WAR IN GAZA OR OTHER IMPACTING EVENTS, THEY ARE ALL OCCURING WITHIN THE TIMETABLE OF HASHEM’S ONGOING DEVELOPMENT UNTIL WE MERIT THE REBUILDING OF THE BEIS HAMIKDASH.
