Parshas Aikev

Hi everyone, I hope this helps you go into your Shabbos more prepared and I hope you learn something new!

This week’s Parsha is called Parshas Aikev (AY-KEV). The Parsha begins with Moses encouraging the Jewish people to have faith and to trust G-d. He is telling them that if they do what Hashem commands, Hashem will guard and protect them.

Moses also tells the Jewish people about the fruit in the land of Israel. There are seven “special” fruits of the land that the land was blessed with. They are: Wheat, Barley, Grapes, Figs, Pomegranates, Olives, and Dates. Moses warns the people that Hashem has given them everything thing they have, and they should never forget Hashem and that they should only use those “gifts” that Hashem has given them L’shma, (LI-SH-MUH) for the sake of heaven. An example of L’shma, is Moses. Moses lived his life L’shma. He led an entire nation of people out of Egypt, took that same nation through the desert battling enemies, he brought them to receive to Torah, and then to the land of Israel. You’re not going to tell me that he did all of this to play baseball with his buddies every Tuesday and Thursday. The reason why Moses did all of that was for the sake of heaven (Hashem.)

“After eating a meal containing bread, one has an obligation to bentch” - which is a few prayers a Jewish person should say when he is done with a meal that contained bread.

Moses then reminds the Jewish people of the Chet HaEgel (CH-AY-T HA-AY-GEL) the sin of the golden calf, which took place when Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments from Hashem at Mount. Sinai. When Moses came down from the mountain, Moses saw that the Jewish people were worshiping idols, and he threw the Ten Commandments down, causing them to break. Moses tells them that they did a terrible avaira (UH-VAY-RUH) or sin and as a result Moses had to daven (pray) to Hashem that He shouldn’t wipe out the entire Jewish nation. Hashem agreed not to destroy them and Moses hand-made the second set of luchos (tablets.)

Moses also taught that it is a mitzvah (obligation) for every Jewish person to daven (pray) to Hashem three times a day. In the morning, afternoon, and evening. The morning prayer service is called Shachris (SHA-CHA-RIS). The afternoon prayer service is called Mincha. And the evening prayers are called Ma’ariv. There are special occasions when we daven to Hashem four times a day. Those occasions are on Yom Tov festivals) and Shabbos. The fourth prayer service is called Mussaf (MOO-SUF).

May we all learn from this week’s Parsha to use all of our resources for the sake of heaven (L’shma!)

 -Amen!

HAVE A GREAT SHABBOS AND WEEKEND!

Stay tuned for next week’s Parsha called, Reay (RI-AY)!