HaShem Is Still Watching Over Us

The Torah reading for this Shabbos is Eikev. The Parshah contains several diverse passages, such as those concerning Yirah (fear and awe of Hashem), Ahavah (love of HaShem), the second paragraph of the Shema and many blessings, both in the opening passages and at the end. It contains the commandment of Birkat HaMazon, the blessing after eating, through which we thank HaShem for our bounty. It also contains some of the rebuke with which Moshe had to chastise the Jews for their past misdeeds.

A certain theme emerges from the Parshah: HaShem’s love for the Jewish People. It lists the comforts that the Jews received in the desert: the Manna, the Well that traveled with them to supply water and the Clouds of Glory, which cleaned and pressed their clothes for 40 years while providing them with year-round climate control – in a desert! All this was provided by HaShem, though they rebelled against Him by making the golden calf and committing other transgressions involving the spies, Korach and others. Despite all this, HaShem showers the Jews with blessings and even asks them to fear and love Him.

One interesting fact reveals the reason behind this. HaShem is great and omnipotent, yet He is humble and still takes care of the lowly and neglected (see Deuteronomy 10:17–18). Reb Noson notes that even though a person might find himself broken and beyond despair, HaShem is with him at all times. As we see in the Parshah, though transgressions were committed, HaShem never allowed His anger to erupt. Rather, He retained His patience and instead blessed the Nation.

The upshot is that we find ourselves today in similar circumstances. Sins are committed and there are rebellions against HaShem, yet we can witness the kindness that HaShem bestows upon us on a daily basis – personally and as a Nation. The nations of the world have joined together, accusing us of some of the worst crimes that they themselves commit, yet we are still here. As the Psalmist states (Psalms 83:4–5), “They take counsel against Your Nation and seek advice against Your People. They say, ‘Let us destroy them from among the nations, so that the name of Israel shall no longer be remembered.’”

Despite all that is currently going on in the world, HaShem is still watching over us. This is the important lesson of the week!

Have a great Shabbos!