The parasha of last Shabbat (August the 12 th, 2017) is called "Ekev".
The word ekev in Hebrew has a dual meaning:
- As a result, because of
- Heel, " grab a heel"
Interestingly, the teachings of Kabalah that one of my Facebook contacts made available to me ( he is a true specialist in Torah studies) link parashat Ekev with our rotten generation and the return of our Messiah Yeshua.
Before some ignorant people start boasting arrogantly against me, I'd like to clarify a few things:
- Kabbalah is not sorcery, unlike a widespread opinion. It often gets slated by very ignorant people. As we know, the summum of ignorance is to speak against something you know nothing about. Therefore, one should always have heart to examine things carefully before speaking out. So, what is exactly kabbalah? The word kabbalah (קבּלה) in Hebrew comes from (לקבּל) to receive. The word (קבּלה) is also used in modern Hebrew and means " reception desk". Over the centuries, there have been misuses of the secret teachings of Torah, hence the assimilation with "sorcery".
- There are four degrees of interpretation of Torah that correspond to the Hebrew word "pardes"(פּרדס): -pshat , remez, drash and sod, sod (סוד=secret) being the secret, so kabbalah teachings.
- Third point: fyi: I am not into kabbalah and I don't recommend anybody who doesn't have a prior Jewish background to delve into these complex teachings. First of all, not anybody is meant to receive them. Secondly, without basic Torah knowledge, they can be very dangerous.
This being said, I'd like to share the few notions I've been acquainted with recently, because they enlighten some important points regarding our relationship with HaShem, His Covenant with the people of Israel and the return of our Messiah.
But let us summarize a few, very important points regarding parasha Ekev at first.
כָּל-הַמִּצְוָה, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם--תִּשְׁמְרוּן לַעֲשׂוֹת: לְמַעַן תִּחְיוּן וּרְבִיתֶם, וּבָאתֶם וִירִשְׁתֶּם אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר-נִשְׁבַּע יְהוָה, לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם
All the commandment which I command you this day shall you observe to do, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers.
Deuteronomy 8:1
Ekev is first and foremost a reminder of HaShem's alliance with the people of Israel and their obligation to fulfill the mitzvoth if they want to inherit the soil of Israel.
The children of Israel are being reminded of HaShem's strong deliverance, of their 40 years in the desert, their spirit of rebellion and disobedience.
It also contains a very strong warning against the practices of idolatry.
I'd also like to point out that no matter if you are Jewish or not, HaShem deeply dislikes any kind of idolatry. In no way one should follow pagan customs ( such as Christmas, Halloween or Easter celebrations. Everything related to a foreign divinity should be avoided.
The key to entering the Kingdom of Heaven is the absence of idolatry.
HaShem will bless the obedient children of Israel. The promise of the gift of Eretz Israel will be fulfilled.
It is very important to understand that there is a renewal of the Covenant in chapter 10. The 10 Commandments are rewritten from HaShem's hand on new tables of stone.
The circumcision of the heart: closeness and committment
וּמַלְתֶּם, אֵת עָרְלַת לְבַבְכֶם; וְעָרְפְּכֶם--לֹא תַקְשׁוּ, עוֹד
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked
Deuteronomy 10:16
It is important to note the expression "circumcision of the heart". While the physical circumcision called brith mila that is usually performed on the 8th day, marks the entry into HaShem's alliance for the males, the circumcision of the heart concerns males and females.
It is an act of committment that will erase the ego. A person with a circumcised heart will accept to be taken under HaShem's wing and to do His will.
A person with a circumcised heart knows that she is set apart and holy, and as such, refuses to compromise with the world ( which implies no pagan celebrations and away from sinful ways).
A person with a circumcised heart will cling to HaShem, should she stand alone. This implies respecting and applying the Commandments.
Clinging to HaShem also means having pleasure in true intimacy with Him. This type of intimacy is not always expressed in formal prayer. It can be simply resting in HaShem, contemplating the beauty of His works or smiling to a stranger in the street...and letting the Spirit lead you at all times-whether you are resting, studying Scriptures, praying aloud or silently. It is the beauty of knowing that your friend is here, next to you, watching you and listening to you. So, dear friend, CLING to HaShem with all your heart!
The heel of the Messiah: a few glimpses of kabbalistic teaching ( from the Zohar)
Ekev corresponds to the 46th section of Torah
( credit to Eric El -Baze who is the true specialist- he is the author of a few books regarding Kabbalah.)
The heel of the Messiah or the waters of knowledge
Parashat Ekev describes our contemporary society where the ego is inflated. This aera is called in hebrew "Yeridat hadorot" ( literally the descent of the generations), the downfall of the generations. The generations will fall off so badly that they will be close to the Messiah's heel.
This is also called " Ikvata Dé Mechikha" ( this expression seems aramaic to me and it means " at the Messiah's heel."
Interestingly, the Zohar interconnects the ego with the Nachash Qadmoni, the ancient serpent, that is also incarnated in the character of Esau, Yaa'kov's brother.
The word "ekev", heel, which is of great importance, appears in two different verses of Bereshit ( Genesis)
וְאֵיבָה אָשִׁית, בֵּינְךָ וּבֵין הָאִשָּׁה, וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ, וּבֵין זַרְעָהּ: הוּא יְשׁוּפְךָ רֹאשׁ, וְאַתָּה תְּשׁוּפֶנּוּ עָקֵב
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; they shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise their heel."
Bereshit 3:15
וְאַחֲרֵי-כֵן יָצָא אָחִיו, וְיָדוֹ אֹחֶזֶת בַּעֲקֵב עֵשָׂו, וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ, יַעֲקֹב
"And after that came forth his brother, and his hand had hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob"
Bereshit 25: 26
- In Bereshit, Chapter 3, HaShem speaks to the serpent. The word "ekev" appears at the end of the word, mentioning the enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.
- In Bereshit, Chapter 25, it is spoken of Yaa'kov's birth. Yaa'kov was holding Esau's heel...we notice that not only the word "ekev" appears in the verse, but also that "ekev" is contained in the name Yaakov- actually "ekev" is Yaa'kov without the yod.
From the point of view of the Kabbalah, there is an intense struggle between Yaa'kov and Esau. Yaa'kov represents the spiritual being, the one who is longing for HaShem and Esau, the worldly individual that seems soulless.
Ekev is Yaa'kov with the loss of the yod. In gematria, yod has the value of 10. So this loss is in relation with the 10 Sephirot, but also the loss of the 10 Commandments. The struggle consists of reestablishing the holiness by readding the yod to ekev.
While the downfall of the generations will be unavoidable, it will also accelerate the return of the Messiah and push mankind to increase their spiritual knowledge.
When our Messiah will return the waters of knowledge will spread to all mankind.
My conclusion: our responsibility as spiritual beings is to spread light and love, in a constant aspiration to reach the character of Yaa'kov.
Many conflictual, political situations, especially in the Middle-East, will be solved with Yeshua's glorious return. Let us work on good deeds and make our paths straights for Him.
Come Yeshua! Come soon!
Amen
Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
