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rejected by others as inconsistent
with their study of history or archae-'
ology.
This, however, is a crucial element
in Jewish thought and survival. It is
impossible to accept Jewish life on a
long-term basis, to transmit it to
your children, without accepting
that Torah is from heaven. If the
Torah is merely lore or a good
he focus and pivotal point
attempt by man to make sense of
c-7/
\
of this week's sedrah is its
life, then there is no long-term value
introduction of V'haya
to Torah.
Ekev (pronounced ay'kev)
Even if one deigns "the Torah was
tishM'oon — and it will be that you
inspired by heaven," then
will listen and God will
you pick and choose what
keep His promise to our
is God's ultimate will and
forefathers.
I'll do the same and we'll
The question is what
end up with several million
does ay'kev mean? Although
versions of what we would
we have several traditional
like God to have really
shades of meaning, such as
meant.
"because" or as a result" or
Only if we believe the
"in exchange," Rashi trans-
Torah is all from Hashem
lates ay'kev as meaning the
can there be continuity.
heel.
If ay'kev — the basics
RABBI CHAIM
Thus Rashi teaches us: If
which are neglected — will
MOSHE
you will listen to God even
be listened to then there
BERGSTEIN
for ay'kev — those mitzvot
can
be continuity,. Only
Special to
most people tread upon
when
there is faith in God
The Jewish News
with their heels, i.e. the
within the continuous per-
"light" commandments —
formance of the mitzvot
then you will be rewarded.
can there be true, long-lasting
The questions upon Rashi's classic
rewards. Only then will we be com-
comment abound. Some are:
mitted to the drama and travails of
* What are the "light" mitzvot?
Jewish continuity.
* How can you call any mitzvot
Even for the practicing Jew, one
"light" since they are all God's will?
may take the foundations of Torah
* Why stress that you will be
lightly. Without the basis of Torah,
rewarded for listening to light
one can err. We perform the com-
mitzvot? What about the others?
mandments only because they are
* Why would anyone "tread" on
God's will. Thus, we cannot compro-
any mitzvot?
mise them or fulfill them only when
At first glance, one could say that
they are convenient. We must be
the light mitzvot refer to those a per-
mindful that their purpose is kiddlish
son does without profound knowl-
Hashem — to sanctify God's name.
edge or belief. People tread upon
Therefore, their performance must
them, saying that without Torah
evoke appreciation of God in others.
study or deep belief they are light.
Our deeds must be beautiful not
The Torah, however, says do mitzvot,
only for us; they must be inspira-
for one mitzvah draws another.
tions for others to follow.
In my opinion, the light mitzvot
also refer to the belief system of the
Torah. These are either 1) taken for
granted and not studied; or 2) reject-
ed out of hand.
For instance, the whole question
How can we better fulfill any of
of Torah min hashamayim (the Torah
the commandments? How can
is God's word) — literally, is one of
Torah study give us a better
the 13 articles of faith. Thus the
understanding of our relation-
Torah will never be changed, modi-
ship with God and our fellow
fied or condensed. This point - is
man? How can any of us "teach"
glossed over in some circles and
Torah without seeming to
preach" to others, thus turning
them off to what we are trying to
Chaim Moshe Bergstein is rabbi of
do?
dais Chabad of Farmington Hills.

Shabbat Ekev:
Deuteronomy
7: 12-11:25;
Isaiah 49:14-51:3.

MON. & THURS. 9 9,
TUES., WED., FRI.,
9-6 PM

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