Just JEW It

"And it will be, because (עֵ קֶ ב) you will listen to these commandments and keep and perform them, that the L-rd your G-d will keep the covenant and the kindness that he swore to your forefathers."

This week's Torah portion is "Eikev" (עֵ קֶ ב), generally translated contextually as "when" or "because." But ask any native Hebrew speaker what this word means, and they'll tell you "heel" - the bottom of the foot. The most overlooked and insensitive part of the body. What symbolism does this have for us, the reader!? What connection does a heel have to holy commandments? (Beware: If NIKE hears about this, they may try to get their logos on this section of the Torah scroll).



I don't know about you, but when I receive a birthday gift, oftentimes the more touching and meaningful part is not the item given; it's the card. As the famous saying goes: "It's the little things that matter." In relationships. of course major needs and issues are vital to address, but often it's the little things that speak volumes. The husband who cleans the dishes; the child who brings a cold drink to dad after work; the mom who makes your favorite food; your friend who writes you something to brighten your day.

So too in one's relationship with G-d. About this word "Eikev" in the Torah, Rashi writes: 'The verse is suggesting if you will heed the minor commandments which a person tends to tread on with his heels (then G-d will keep his promise to you).' "It's the little things that count" says G-d. Doing the commandments that we're not so interested in doing, that may be uniquely hard on us or seemingly irrelevant. Paying attention to the small details. Showing our love through something seemingly small, where no one sees you but G-d. Thanking Him for even the little things that are good in our lives.

Through this devotion and attention to even the little things, we can reach the deeper explanation of the word heel here, that our commitment to G-d and his Torah will come to permeate one so entirely, that even the "heel" - signifying the least sensitive aspect of a person's being - will come to feel a closeness to G-d. The word heel is written in connection to the commandments, to also teach us that our relationship with G-d should not be confined only to the holy days of the year, or to certain holy hours of prayer and study, but should also embrace our everyday activities.

In the spirit of this week's Torah portion, let us choose one mitzvah - one area in Torah observance - that we usually "trample on with our heels" (ignore), and do it with a smile :)

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel