Parshat Eikev 20 AV 5774 / August 16, 2014 Daf Yomi: Moed Katan 5; Nach Yomi: Yirmeyahu 42 Weekly Dvar A project of the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG

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To Serve With Love Jake Czuper Graduate, Young Israel Rabbinic Training Program

In this week’s parasha, Moshe Rabeinu continues his review of the Torah and warns Klal Yisrael to fear G- The Chizkuni and others point .”את ה' אלקיך תירא אתו תעבוד ובו תדבק ובשמו תשבע“ :d. The verse (10:20) says out that an almost identical statement was said in last week’s parasha. In Parashat Vaetchanan, the Torah את ה' אלקיך תירא אתו תעבוד ובשמו" ,(states (6:13 The obvious question is: why does the Torah repeat the same commandment to fear G-d in two ”. תשבע consecutive parashot ?

The Drash explains that we must look at the context of both statements in order to understand the message of each parasha. In Vaetchanan, the Torah warns Klal Yisrael that in the future, HaShem will bring the nation into the . He will provide us with everything, and Klal Yisrael must be careful to remain loyal to HaShem. Moshe ends the paragraph by warning Klal Yisrael that there will be complete destruction if the nation fails to fear .(עבוד מיראה) G-d. The Torah’s essential message in Parashat Vaetchanan is to serve HaShem out of fear

In Eikev, the Torah once again states that Klal Yisrael must fear and serve HaShem. This time, however, no punishment is mentioned. In fact, the pesukim talk about the love that HaShem has for Klal Yisrael and the reciprocal love that Klal Yisrael should have for HaShem. The essential message of Parashat Eikuv is to .(עבוד מאהבה) serve HaShem out of love

Now that we understand the difference between the commandment to serve HaShem in both Vaetchanan and Eikev, the next question is which service should be our main focus in our everyday lives? I believe the answer can be found by comparing the same two pesukim above. The only difference between the In the context of serving ”.ובו תדבק" commandment to fear HaShem in Vaetchanan and Eikuv are the words HaShem out of love, the Torah adds that we must cling to HaShem. These extra words teach us that, more than any other service, HaShem desires our service out of love.

The idea that HaShem desires our service out of love can actually be found in the beginning of this week’s parasha, as well. The parasha starts by stating: “This shall be the reward when you hearken to these ordinances, and you observe and perform them.” points out the famous Chazal that explains why the Torah uses the word Eikev (heal). He explains that HaShem’s promise of blessing and reward for listening to him specifically refers to listening to the “light” mitzvot that people often tread upon with their heels. From reading this Rashi, the obvious question is: why is HaShem’s promise of blessing and reward dependent upon following the so-called “light mitzvot?” Wouldn’t it seem to make more sense for the reward to depend upon following the most “heavy” mitzvot, such as Shabbat, , Taharat Hamishpacha, and Kashruth?

Rabbi Shimshon Pincus Zt’l answers the above question with a brilliant insight: he explains that, by nature, human beings don’t usually pay much attention to “small” mitzvot and customs. But in reality, the “small” mitzvot and customs are the ultimate litmus test for people to detect their own level of ahavat HaShem, (love of G-d). Rav Pincus explains that our sages warn us not to get into the habit of weighing mitzvoth. They stress that, instead, our focus should be on the greatness of the commander of the mitzvot. HaShem promises great reward and blessings to those who follow the so called “light mitzvot” because acting in this manner proves one’s devotion and love for HaShem.

With the completion of the entire Shas on August 1st and the restart of the Daf Yomi cycle, I would like to end by quoting a towards the beginning of Maseches Brachos that relates to our discussion. The Gemara states: “one who derives pleasure from the work of his hands is greater than one who fears HaShem.” The Vilna Gaon explains that “the one who derives pleasure from his work” is referring to the person who serves HaShem out of love. This type of service brings a person pleasure, both in this world and the next world. The Vilna Gaon further explains that “the one who fears HaShem” is serving HaShem solely through fear. While those who serve HaShem out of fear gain reward in the next world, they lack enjoyment in this world and the Gemara considers them to be on a lower level.

I believe this last point of the Vilna Gaon is the reason HaShem made the reward of this week’s parasha dependent upon keeping the “light” mitzvot. While our sages warn that this world is transitory and just a corridor to the world to come, HaShem still wants us to feel joy, both in this world and the next. Therefore, the Torah makes the promises of blessing and reward in our parasha contingent upon Klal Yisrael serving HaShem out of love.

Throughout his life, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Zt’l famously stated that our attitude towards being Jewish and serving HaShem must be out of love. Reb Moshe claimed that statements such as iz shver tzu zein a Yid (it’s hard to be a Jew) could destroy children. Reb Moshe would often say proudly and from the depths of his heart: “It is not hard to be a Jew – it is beautiful and joyous to be a Jew.” Although I never had the merit to meet Rav Moshe in person, anyone who has seen his picture and learned his commentaries and Responsa senses that Rav Moshe achieved his greatness because he served HaShem out of love.

Although we are all preoccupied with busy lives, devoted towards serving HaShem, this week’s parasha teaches that we must set aside time and make sure our Jewish observance is always infused with serving HaShem out love.

Shabbat Shalom