Ghosts of Eikevs Past

Parshat Eikev begins with the word VeHaya, which connotes happiness. The idea is that we are to be appreciative, rather than resentful, when listening to the will of G-d. Read more

"Not by bread alone does man live, rather by everything that emanates from the mouth of G-d does man live”– Devarim 8:3

When we eat our souls benefit from the spiritual DNA of the food. Just as physical nutrients get to us by processing food in a way that we'll receive the proper benefits, so too the spiritual vitamins get to us via spiritual preparation. This preparation is what we call a bracha, through which we acknowledge G-d as the source of all, and thank him for meeting our needs. This is the deeper meaning of this verse. Man doesn't survive only by bread but needs the word of G-d that accompanies the eating through which we spiritually survive and thrive. Read more

Last year I wrote about two possible meanings of the unusual word Eikev as well as sharing a story about, "Vehaya im shamoa tishme'u." I wrote organically about my Shabbat Eikev, which included lessons about clowning and Neruda poem shared with me by a starry eyed woman in love (not with me). Read more