Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things. -Lawrence D. Bell
The name of this week’s parasha, Ekev, besides meaning “because” can also be translated as “heel”. The Kabbalists state that this alludes to the small or minor commandments that one is likely to trample on with their heel.
There are an abundance of commandments that have not made it to the general awareness of our day. For example:
- “Shatnez”: A prohibition to wear any garments that mix wool and linen.
- Shaving: Cannot use a razor on your face/neck.
- Haircuts: Cannot shave the hair over the mandibular joint.
- Tattoos: Prohibited.
- Horoscopes: Prohibited.
- Castration: Prohibited to castrate any being.
Besides the lesser-known commandments, even amongst the more widely known ones such as the Sabbath or eating Kosher, there are countless details and minutia that people choose to remain ignorant about or to be less than careful about.
The Sfat Emet in 5631 (1871) states that every single object – including the smallest detail or act – has a divine aspect to it. Hence the almost obsessive compulsion of Jewish law with the minutest details of our existence. By taking care of the small items, we merit to connect their divine sparks to the highest spiritual levels.
May we take the small stuff seriously.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ben-Tzion
Dedication
To the arrival in Montevideo of Rabbi and Rabbanit Kruger.
