Parshat Eikev
July 31-August 1, 2026
18 Av 5786
Annual Torah Reading: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
Triennial Torah Reading: Deuteronomy 7:12 to 9:3
This Shabbat we read Parashat עֵקֶב (Eikev). Moshe continues his passionate address to בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (B'nei Yisrael), reminding them that their success and security in the Land of Israel depend on their commitment to G-d's covenant.
In this parasha, Moshe recounts the miracle of the מָן (man, manna) in the desert, warns against the dangers of self-satisfaction and pride, introduces the second paragraph of the שְׁמַע (Shema), and gives us the command to offer thanks after eating: בִּרְכַּת הַמָּזוֹן (Birkat HaMazon).
Below, we look at the core themes of this week through three unique lenses.
1. The Small Details We Tread Underfoot
Insight inspired by Rashi and Classical Commentators
The opening word of our portion, עֵקֶב (Eikev), is unusual. While it literally means "as a result of" or "because", it shares a direct Hebrew root with the word for "heel" (עָקֵב, akev). Rashi highlights this deep linguistic connection:
"If you will obey these commandments... If you will keep the minor commandments which a person often treads upon with his heels." Rashi
It is relatively easy to show devotion during dramatic, monumental moments of life. The true test of spiritual integrity, however, lies in how we treat the quiet, seemingly minor ethical duties, the small acts of kindness, honesty, and restraint that are so easily overlooked or stepped on in the daily rush.
2. The Danger of "My Power and the Might of My Hand"
Insight inspired by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
As בְּנֵ יִשְׂרָאֵל (B'nei Yisrael) prepare to transition from the barren desert into a land flowing with milk and honey, Moshe offers a timeless warning about the psychology of affluence: "You may say to yourself: My power and the might of my hand have produced this wealth for me" (Deuteronomy 8:17).
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks observed that prosperity often poses a far greater spiritual challenge than hardship:
"Poverty tests our physical strength, but wealth tests our spiritual integrity. When we succeed, the greatest temptation is to forget where our blessings came from, to attribute everything to our own genius, and to lose our sense of gratitude." Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Gratitude is not merely a polite gesture; it is the ultimate antidote to arrogance. By pausing to bless G-d after we eat and recognizing our ultimate dependence on Him, we remain humble even in times of great abundance.
3. Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone
Insight inspired by Sivan Rahav Meir
In reflecting on the forty years of wandering, Moshe reminds the people that G-d fed them manna in the wilderness "to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that comes from the mouth of G-d" (Deuteronomy 8:3). Educator Sivan Rahav Meir highlights how relevant this lesson remains in our modern world:
"Physical food sustains the body, but human beings have a soul that requires spiritual nourishment. We live in a world that invests heavily in material comfort, yet our deepest hunger is for meaning, purpose, and connection to something higher than ourselves." Sivan Rahav Meir
The desert experience was designed to cultivate faith, teaching us that physical sustenance is only half of what we need to live a truly full life.
הַפְטָרָה: Haftarah Reading
יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Y'sha'yahu) 49:14 to 51:3
We read the second of the seven Haftarot of Consolation (Sheva d'Nechemta) read between Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashanah. The prophet יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Y'sha'yahu) responds to the feelings of abandonment expressed by Zion:
"Zion said: The Lord has forsaken me, and G-d has forgotten me." (Y'sha'yahu 49:14)
G-d responds with an unforgettable message of eternal love and devotion, reassuring the Jewish nation that they are never forgotten:
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these were forgotten, I will not forget you." (Y'sha'yahu 49:15)
Questions to Contemplate
Are there small, "heel-level" ethical actions in my day-to-day life that I tend to overlook or dismiss as unimportant?
When I achieve personal or professional success, how do I remind myself of the higher sources and support systems that made it possible?