Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

No fear, except the fear of Heaven

Eikev, Ekev, Ekeb, or Eqeb, עקב, is this week's portion.  It's Deuteronomy 7:11 - 11:25.  Ekev carries the simple meaning of "if".  This section of Torah has Moshe retelling the story of the sin of the Golden Calf with the repercussion and consequences for making an idol.  Throughout the portion it also contains blessings with the pattern, "If ... then".  The mitzvot (commandments) and following them are the condition that fulfills the requirement so the Most High can bless those guarding and keeping the mitzot.  Rashi interprets ekev as "heel"  If you do the mitzvot instead of trampling on them with your heel, then the blessings come.  Either way pashat (simple) or midrashic (homeletic or teaching story)  we encounter the wisdom and life reaped when the mitzvot are heard, obeyed, kept, guarded, and done.  The Hebrew phrase for this attitude and behavior that follows is shomer (hear, guard, keep, do) mitzvot  (commandments).  This is the path to follow like the ruts worn in the road by a wagon that you can walk in as others before  you did.  Not everyone worshiped the Golden Calf.  The women did not cooperate with those making and worshiping it.  The women received the New Moon festival with a time of rest.  The importance of guarding and doing the mitzvot is emphasized in this portion.  The derech chayim (path of life) is set out...