Israel is in crisis and needs
emergency medical supplies
and ambulances now.

4,4

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MIZIA

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•

Parshat Eikev: Deuteronomy 7:12-
11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3.

T

he timeliness of the Torah
is the focus of many signifi-
cant discussions. No one can
doubt that the Torah was a life-chang-
ing and world-changing text to its first
recipients and readers.
But what makes the Torah even
more special is its continued relevance
and impact upon each gen-
eration.
People will debate the
Torah's role in address-
ing modern issues — e.g.
abortion, poverty, same-
sex marriage. Hopefully,
all agree that much of the
Torah's instruction — e.g.
honoring parents, forbid-
ding murder — is eternal.
It is fascinating that
our ancestors found rel-
evant messages in the
Torah regarding events that happened
later in time. For example, there are
specially designated Torah readings
for Chanukah, Purim and Tisha b'Av,
even though those holidays are clearly
based on post-Torah stories.
The same is true for Yom
HaAtzmaut — the festive day each
spring celebrating modern Israel's
independence in 1948. On that day, the
fifth of lyar, there is a growing practice
to read from the Torah, specifically
Deuteronomy 7:12-8:18, which is taken
from this Shabbat's parshat, Eikev. The
connection between the holiday and
the reading is perfectly clear. This is
the Torah's description of God's gift of
the Land of Israel and how wonderful
a land it is.
In Deuteronomy 8:10, we are
instructed to thank God each time we
have completed a meal, based upon
the words: You shall eat, be satisfied

and bless the Lord your God for the
good land God has given you.
It could be argued that Birkat
HaMazon, the after-meal blessing,
is only intended for food from Israel
and eaten in Israel. However, our
longstanding practice is to thank God
for the gift of Israel every time we eat,

wherever we might be at the time.
Eating, therefore, has become an
essential and complete Jewish religious
experience. It is theology and Zionism
wrapped together.
A close look at the verse I quoted
reveals a few other timeless pearls of
wisdom:
1. The Torah commands
us to eat. Though many of us
need no command, there exist
those today who suffer from
not eating enough, whether
by choice or by circumstance.
The words you shall eat
should serve as a cry to us to
do our best to make sure that
all people in the world have
adequate nutrition.
2. The Torah commands
us to be satisfied. As I
implied above, in addition
to starvation and anorexia, we are also
a world in which too many of us are
over-eaters. In doing so, we are unable
to recognize the Torah's command to

be satisfied.
Recognizing satisfaction is crucial to
being a grateful person. The Babylonian
Talmud (Berachot 20b) relates that the
nation of Israel is so prone to gratitude
that they recite Birkat HaMazon even
after eating (bread) that is merely the
size of an olive.
The message of you shall eat and be
satisfied is clear and relevant. We are
so in need of being grateful for each
small, yet satisfying, moment in our
lives.

101n

O

13

lb.

Operation Protective Edge has depleted Magen David
Adom's medical equipment and supplies. MDA urgently
needs everything from band aids, syringes, and blood bags
to ambulances. In fact, MDA needs 100 new ambulances
over the next 12 months.

MDA is not government-funded and millions of Israelis are
counting on us!

So please give today, and we hope you can join us for our
upcoming gala on September 11th.

For donations, sponsorships, tribute journal ads, and gala
reservations, please call 877.405.3913 or visit us at
www.afmda.org/mames-gala.

Celebration of Life Gala

Thursday, September 11, 2014.5:30 p.m.
at Congregation Beth Ahm, West Bloomfield
Featuring Guest Speaker – Dr. Ella Shinar, M.D.
Director of MDAs Blood Bank
R.S.V.P by Thursday, September 4, 2014

Proceeds will be used to sponsor an ambulance
in Israel in honor of our chapter's founders
and supply MDA with much needed medical
equipment and supplies.

❑

Rabbi Elliot Pachter is rabbi of

Congregation B'nai Moshe in West
Bloomfield.

Conversations
• Bring Israel into the discussion
during every meal.
• Take a few moments to express
gratitude, not only after eating,
but also each time you become
aware of a blessing in your life.

Dr. John J. Mames Chapter — Michigan Region
Manny Charach, Chair • Can Margulis Immerman, Director
23215 Commerce Park Road, Suite 306
Beachwood, OH 44122 • Toll Free: 877.405.3913
central@afmda.org

Co-sponsored by:

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF
MAGEN DAVID ADOM

DETROIT
JEWISH NEWS

SAVING LIVES IN ISRAEL

1938160

JN

August 14 • 201z

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