This week’s parsha begins with a peculiar word—Eikev -which according to Rashi’s simple translation means a heel. However, the midrash elaborates and informs us that Eikev refers to the particular mitzvos a person threshes with his heel. What are these mitzvos? The answer is somewhat of a mystery. There is the literal translation provided by the Daas Zkeinim who explains that it is referring to someone who isn't careful not to step on his tzitzis. There is also the explanation that the word is a hint to the mitzvah of shiluach haken that should be done with one’s feet. In fact, the answer is that the translation is not literal but figurative. It is sending us a message that if we really want the incredible blessing that Hashem desires to give us we need to pay attention to the smaller things. We might even venture to say that it isn’t the active mitzvos that observant people find easy to fulfill but rather the internal mitzvos which are far more demanding.
The Chovos Halevavos calls these the “mitzvos of the heart” and they are more arduous than physical mitzvos and require far greater effort to change. These are midos many of which slip under the radar and are not seen by outsiders. They are the mitzvos that a person threshes with his feet or kicks under the carpet so to speak, the ones that he chooses not to deal with because they are hidden and can only be seen by discerning eyes and of course by the Creator who sees right through us and knows the deepest thoughts of our hearts.
I think we can add another small proof that Eikev is referring to the mitzvos that are in our hearts. First of all, in this parsha there are psukim that are the most direct and powerful lesson in the importance of love and fear of Hashem. We read in the beginning of the fifth Aliya a powerful and maybe the most important question that the Torah poses - What does Hashem want from us? Hashem’s answer is to love him, fear him and keep his mitzvos.
Why? The answer is in two words: letov lach-- for your own good. And how will we deserve all the good that Hashem has in store for us? By maintaining a heart filled with love and awe for Hashem. In a number of places, the Nesivos Shalom points out that the two most important words in the Torah are Uvo tidbac-- in Him you will cling. This is what letov lach means. It is the greatest good that we can receive in this world. How we can reach a level of deveikus in this world and the rest and the ultimate experience is in the next world is explained in the beginning of Mesilas Yesharim. Another place we find a reference to the heel is in ikvesa demeshicha --the heels of Mashiach. Chazal in Maseches Makkos point out that at the end of the day we will be left with one mitzvah that everything stands on and that is the mitzvah of Emunah. In fact, the Rebbe of Tosh actually explains and connects this idea. He informs us that Emuna is the heel the foot that everything stands on.
Hashem says Vehaya which is the letters of Hashem’s name. Hashem is telling us that he is putting His name here. “You’re part of Me and I’m telling you to have Emunah in Me. Make sure you are working on the mitzvos that are hidden and internal, as that is what everything depends on.”
by Rabbi Daniel Coren
