Eikev

In this parsha

Moshe promises that if the people heed the mitzvos, Hashem will keep the covenant with blessing, fertility and health. He reminds them that the manna taught that man lives not by bread alone but by the word of Hashem, and warns them not to credit their own strength for the coming prosperity. He recalls the sin of the golden calf and his own prayer for forgiveness, describes the Land as one watered by rain and watched over by God, and calls on Israel to fear, love and cleave to Him.

Themes

• Guarding the light mitzvos
• Shabbos, taste of Olam Haba
• Yirah unlocking blessing
• Mitzvos as heavenly channels
• Eretz Yisrael: gift and earning
• Refining the body

Must-read teachings

1. 1Light Mitzvos Reveal HashemIn the Midrash it states: a Menorah made of joined segments, and so on. The Sfas Emes opens by citing the Midrash that the Menorah was formed of joined segments, hinting that holiness comes from connecting separate parts into one whole. And…תרל"א
2. 2Heavenly Abundance in Eretz YisraelConcerning the praise of Eretz Yisrael. The Sfas Emes opens by stating his theme: understanding the praise the Torah gives to Eretz Yisrael. "For Hashem your God brings you to a good land... a land of brooks of water, of springs and depths.…תרמ"ח
3. 3Revealing Food's Inner NourishmentRegarding the mitzvah of Birkas HaMazon, the Torah says, "And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless" (Devarim 8:10), and so on. The Sfas Emes opens with the mitzvah of Birkas HaMazon, derived from the verse that we are to eat, be satisfi…תרמ"ט
4. 4Refining Nourishment Through TorahOn the pasuk "And He afflicted you... and fed you the mann... that man does not live by bread alone" (Devarim 8:3). The Sfas Emes opens with the pasuk describing how Hashem afflicted Bnei Yisrael and fed them mann, teaching that man does no…תרנ"ב
5. 5Shabbos as Olam HabaIn the Midrash there is the parable of the menorah composed of segments, and so forth. The Sfas Emes opens by citing a Midrash that uses the image of a menorah made of separate segments as a starting point for the discussion. The reason tha…תרמ"ב
6. 6Rising Above TimeIn the Midrash: at that time Hashem said, 'Carve out for yourself' the Luchos — and this is connected to the verse 'There is a season and a time for everything' (Koheles 3:1), 'a time to cast away stones,' which alludes to the breaking of t…תרנ"א
7. 7Blessing Untouched By EvilOn the pasuk, "For Hashem your God is bringing you to a good land... a land in which you will eat bread without scarceness... a land whose stones are iron" (Devarim 8:7-9). The Sfas Emes opens with the Torah's description of Eretz Yisrael a…תרנ"ט
8. 8Eternal Gifts For GenerationsMy grandfather, my teacher, of blessed memory, spoke on the verse "Not because of your righteousness etc." (Devarim 9:5). The Sfas Emes opens by citing his grandfather's teaching on the verse that the Land was not given to Bnei Yisrael on a…תרמ"ז