And it will come to pass because (eikev) you will hearken to these ordinances (Deut. 7:12) Hebrew word “eikev” means literally “heel,” and refers to the End of Days – the period right before the coming of Moshiach and the Final Redemption. Our Sages counseled us to “Anticipate the footsteps of Moshiach”; at present, we can hear their faint echo and begin to appreciate Moshiach’s light. (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
And now, Israel, what does the L-rd your G-d require of you but to fear the L-rd your G-d, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. 10:12) From the way this verse is worded, one would think that this command is easy. Yet the Talmud asks, “Is fearing G-d really such an easy thing to do?” For Moses, the answer goes, it was easy. But how does this help the average Jew? Every Jewish soul, without exception, contains an aspect of Moses; with the help of this element, fear of G-d is attainable by all Jews. (Tanya)
Reprinted from the Parshat Eikev 5783 edition of L’Chaim Weekly.
