Experts in child development might take me to task for the specifics of this approach even though they would agree (I suppose) that through their lifetimes, normal human beings progress through distinct but interrelated stages of emotional and intellectual growth. Frequently, these points in the cycle of our lives form a sort of chiasm – that is a mirror image of itself. A newborn is 100% reactive, responding only to its own comfort and needs. Likewise, all but the most exceptional elderly, at some point (hopefully later rather than earlier) start losing interest in the wider world. In between, with God’s help, we grow beyond the youthful narcissism of early life toward greater concern for and engagement with the world.

Through the middle years of life our thoughts and activities ebb and flow in response to our feelings of efficacy. We are governed by whether or not we believe that what we do really makes a difference. The more effective we feel, the more we engage and vice versa. Saying ‘you can’t fight city hall’ is an admission of powerlessness. Fortunately, some people do try to fight city halls, corporations and other ‘Goliaths’ that have run amok and occasionally they win. Leadership, in any context, requires both an acceptance of responsibility and a healthy self-recognition of an ability to impact whatever situation is at hand.

This week our reading’s title word ‘eikev’ is often mistranslated as simply ‘if’. In full context it is better understood to mean “as a result of”. Therefore rendering the opening verse of our parashah as: “And it will come to pass, as a result of your observing these laws, guarding them and doing them… “. The text proceeds with Moses’ retelling the Biblical “deal” to this new generation of Hebrews who are about to enter Israel. Simply put, if you observe mishpatim – ethical laws – then things will go well with you.

The choice of words is quite significant. The text could simply say ‘im tish’m’un’ which would mean ‘if you observe’. Selecting a verb that means ‘as a result’ gives the message two finer nuances:

1) “If” (in Hebrew ‘im’) may connote happenstance or unfettered choice. It is possible that one can be ethical and do the ‘right’ thing simply by accident. Of course the law of averages says that in the long run you will do the wrong thing just as many times. This ‘if’ can also mean that today you behaved yourself as a matter of unmitigated desire and that tomorrow you could choose something else. ‘Eikev’ which is the same root as the name Ya’akov (heel) implies thoughtful and deliberate behavior in response to the ethical standards set by the Torah and our Mitzvot and mindfulness of our obligations to both society and our Creator.

2) ‘Im’ can also imply that the whole enterprise of life is left up to chance and that doing what is wrong or right has no relationship to nor impact on either the micro or macro outcomes of your actions – a total disconnect between cause and effect. ‘Eikev’ makes the opposite argument by connoting an intertwined, complex, but yet unified creation where even the smallest act, gesture or deed has a real, even if imperceptible, impact on the universe. In its simplest terms a good deed done engenders others and even ritual acts serve to repair the fabric of creation.

As we turn the corner toward the High Holy Days it is good to remember that there are entailments of our actions. We truly live in a world that can be made more broken or whole because of the ‘eikev’ - consequences - of each and every deed.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Steve Denker

This Shabbat is in that genre.  Shabbat Zachor - the Shabbat to Remember – is observed on the last Shabbat before Purim, right before we read about Haman the Amalekite’s failed attempt to make some money by destroying the Jews.  Of course, we all remember how Esther, a beautiful but jewishly challenged favorite of the King, finally steps up to save her people by tricking the king into thinking that she is sleeping with Haman.  Remembering anything yet?

Do you remember that 1929, the year when good old Franklyn recorded Irving’s song also marked the ‘birth’ of Popeye the Sailor Man and the first Academy Awards, Babe Ruth first batted .500 (which means he missed half of the time), Motorola made the first car radio and penicillin was discovered?  Not a totally disastrous year!  No, I haven’t forgotten to remember the stock market crash, but some great things happened before the end of October.

Often, too often, we remember the defeats and disasters of Jewish history and forget to recall our people’s great accomplishments.  Frequently, we forget the joy, warmth, comfort and spiritual refreshment found in Jewish life, choosing only to remember its inconveniences, costs and claims on our attention.  Some remember only the Judaism of their childhood and forget that, today, Judaism takes all kinds of forms that can build the wonderful memories of the future.  For example, if you remember using only cheap tin groggers to wipe out Haman’s name you can now make and remake your personal grogger with our own Stuart Rubin’s iPhone application from www.groggerfactory.com.  And you will remember to carry it with you all year.

So, now – grateful for the antibiotics that cured last season’s bronchitis, after having used  the internet to find all these neat facts about 1929 and share them with you, I will remember to download my new grogger, get in the car and flip on the CD player so I can listen to the Megillah where, in a verse sung during Havdalah at the conclusion of this and every Shabbat, Esther, who could have remembered other things, reminds us that along with all the troubles, “the Jews had” and continue to have “light, and gladness, joy, and honor” (Esther 8:16).

Sometimes it’s just a question of what you forget to choose to remember.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!

Rabbi Steve Denker