Chasidic Insights

CHASIDIC INSIGHTS PARSHAS EIKEV 5762 BS"D

Ch. 10, v. 12: "V'atoh" - The M.R. Breishis says that "v'atoh," and now, refers to teshuvoh, repentance. One who realizes that the past is gone, so that if he had done good deeds or sinned in the past or, they are not present at this moment, and also realizes that the future is in the offing, and only the present moment is at hand, he has surely repented for any wrongdoing. (The Holy Chozeh of Lublin)

Ch. 10, v. 12: "Moh Hashem Elokecho sho'eil mei'imoch" - "In which manner am I your Hashem; in which manner have you served Me," Hashem asks of you. (Rabbi Naftoli of Ropshitz)

Ch. 10, v. 16: "U'maltem eis orlas l'vavchem v'or'p'chem lo sakshu ode" - When a person's heart and mind are plugged up and do not allow spirituality to enter he has no understanding of the ways of Hashem and is loaded with questions against Hashem. If you cut away the blockage of your heart and nape, you will have no more difficulties, "lo sakshu ode." (Rabbi Dovid of Lelov)

Ch. 10, v. 20: "Es Hashem Elokecho tiro" - The gemara says that the word "es" teaches us to include a Torah scholar. Even a Torah scholar should not rely solely on his vast Torah knowledge to keep him from Sinning. He too should work on his fear of Hashem. (Rabbi Aharon Hagodol of Karlin)

Ch. 11, v. 12: "Mei'reishis Hashonoh ad acharis shonoh" - Why the change from "THE year" to "A year"? At the beginning of the year everyone feels that this will be THE year that he will improve, but unfortunately at the end of the year it is just another plain uneventful year. (Yismach Moshe)

Ch. 11, v. 13: "B'chol l'vavchem uvchol naf'sh'chem" - Why does our verse not follow the format of parshas "Shma" and also say "uvchol m'ode'chem"? Parshas "Shma" is the chapter dealing with acceptance of the yoke of heaven, a matter that has no limitation, hence "uvchol m'o'decho." Our chapter deals with the acceptance of the yoke of doing mitzvos. Doing mitzvos has a limitation, such as only spending a fifth of one's possessions, enhancing a mitzvoh by spending up to one third more. Therefore our verse cannot say "uvchol m'ode'chem." (Rabbi Yisroel of Rizhin)

Alternatively, the parsha of "Shma" refers to one who serves Hashem with love, who is equated to a son. He has the resources given him by his Father, hence "uvchol m'o'decho." Our chapter deals with a person who serves Hashem with fear, who is equated to a servant. A servant does not personally own any possessions; hence he cannot say "uvchol m'ode'chem." (Rabbi Zvi Hersh of Ziditchov)

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