Biography of Yehuda Katz | Archives | This Week's Parsha
EIKEV
"This shall be (Eikev---Hebrew) the reward..................................(7:12) Rashi comments that when the Torah uses the word "Eikev" (Hebrew), it teaches us that this is referring to the Mitzvoth that man usually neglects. Eikev in Hebrew can also mean the heal of feet, meaning the commandments that a person might "step" on because he considers them to be minor............We find in Genesis 25:26 that Yakov (Jacob) was named his name because he held unto Esau's heal when he emerged from his mother's womb.....Yakov comes from the Hebrew root "EIKEV" meaning heal...................................... A question can be asked, What's the connection between "Yakov's" (Jacob) name and "Eikev" found in our verse? ( They are similar due to the root being "Eikev" meaning heal.) I would like to propose the following original answer as follows, Bezrat Hashem: When Yakov held on to Esau's heal , he was telling the world that the very things Esau tramples on are in fact "held" in high esteem by Yakov. These are the very attributes that Yakov considers important, namely modesty, humility, honesty....................................ect. Yakov knew their value, and held on to them ......................Esau on the other hand "step" on them with his heal...... This is precisely where Yakov has the greatest power over Esau and the manner in which he conducts his life. Israel will always be able to defeat Esau as long as they are capable of upholding the attributes Esau tramples on. In Kabalistic thought Esau represents the evil inclination........................We are all constantly seeking out methods to conquer that which ails us spiritually, yet here lies the key to our victory. Let us all grasp the very attributes that the Evil inclination abhors, and hold them in high esteem as our forefather Yakov had done at the time of his birth. Let us all be more humble , modest and gracious to our fellow man.........................................Have a good Shabbos
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