EKEV Parasha

"And it will be that if you listen to these laws and keep and observe them, the Creator your God will keep the covenant and the mercy that he swore to your fathers" (Debarim-Deut 7,12)

And it will be that if they listen to these laws... the Creator your God will save you... (Tishmeun (which means "They listen" in English) is written in the plural, referring to many listeners. The object of desire of 'Vesheamar Adonai Elojecha lecha' (The Lord your God will protect you) is singular, referring to a single recipient. The primary path to Divinity is through the "many," for everyone and everything is unified. Once they are united, we can then receive our individual blessings.

And it is also written: "And it shall be that if you hearken, the Lord your God will keep his covenant and his mercy for you."

"Ekev" literally means "heel" Moses was saying: 'If you listen to the Creator and his Torah, to the point of extending Divinity to your very feet "heels" then the Creator will extend more mercy upon you.

The "feet" (heel) also refers to wealth, as it is a foundation on which a person stands. Therefore, Moses also implied: 'If your perception of Divinity extends to the way you use your wealth, then the Creator will shower upon you much goodness and blessing.

"And it will be that if they listen" (Ekev) As we already mentioned, it literally means "Heel".

...If you listen to these laws even when you are sunk under the heel of your enemy and recognize that suffering comes from Above, then the Blessed Creator will listen to you and remember the covenant He made with your ancestors.

"And it will be that if they listen to these laws"

The Tzadikim (the great Righteous Ones) are also called "feet" because they walk from one place to another to clarify the Torah and teach people the service of the Creator. When the Creator issues a decree of judgment on the world, He consults with the tzadikim and reveals to them His judgments that have been detected against the generation. Then the great righteous go and admonish the generation to improve their ways and mitigate the judgment.

"And it will be that if they listen to these laws and keep them and comply with them"

Dancing and clapping mitigates harsh judgments, but when judgments are decreed against the world, it's very difficult to dance. Judgments, which pertain to the feet, make them heavy and slow.

To mitigate these judgments and regain a state of joy, it is necessary to judge and evaluate oneself. This can be achieved through Hitbodedut (prayer in isolation). The person self-examines and corrects each of their actions and relationships with others. In this way, heavenly judgments are mitigated. "For where there is judgment below, there is no judgment above."

(Based on the teachings of Rabbeinu Nachman of Breslev)

Dedicated to the health of all the sick in Am Israel and around the world, and to the success and blessing of all who spread the message of Emuna in the Creator.

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