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I have another thought: The word "Ekev" clearly reminds us of Yakov, so named because he held on to the heel of Esav as they emerged from the womb. I suggest that Hashem is telling us that when it comes to doing Mitzvot, when it comes to showing devotion to Hashem, there is no better role model than Yakov.
Consider all that Yakov went through in his life: He had to deal with a malevolent twin brother, even running away to escape being killed by him. He lived with father-in-law Lavan, a duplicitous conniver who switched brides and tried to swindle him out of his rightful wages. He suffered the early loss of his beloved Rachel; had to deal with the kidnap and rape of daughter Dina, and then vicious in-fighting among his children led to the disappearance of his favorite son, Yosef, for 22 years. At the end of his life, he had to leave Israel for Egypt - which he considered a bitter exile - and only was brought back to Israel for burial.
So Hashem is saying to us, via this little word "Ekev:" If it's tough being Jewish, if you think you have trouble staying on the Derech Hashem, the path of G-d, just think of all the trials and tribulations of Yakov, and yet he remained steadfast in his faith. The going may indeed be rough at times, but if you maintain your spiritual balance, "He'll" surely reward you for it!
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
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Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
