EKEV – THE LITTLE THINGS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT

בס”ד

In the Torah, there is a portion called Ekev.

Ekev means heel.

Dad asked David:

“What do you use your heel for?”

“To walk!” said David.

“That’s right,” said Dad. “But sometimes people also walk over small things. They think: ‘Oh, that is not so important.'”

“But G-d does find the small things important.”

“Why?” asked David.

“Because all of G-d’s commandments come from Him,” said Dad. “One commandment is not more important than another. That is why we also want to do the small things properly.”

“This also applies to people who keep the seven Noahide commandments.”

David nodded.

Dad gave an example.

“Imagine you are in a store. You see a delicious grape.”

“You might think: ‘I’ll just take one.'”

“But that grape does not belong to you yet.”

“That is why you first wait until it has been paid for.”

“Even if it is only one little grape.”

David said: “So even small things that do not belong to me, I am not allowed to just take.”

“Exactly,” said Dad.

“One more example.”

“Imagine someone at school makes a joke about another child.”

“Many children laugh.”

“But that child feels sad.”

“G-d wants us not to hurt anyone with our words.”

“Then you can say something kind or help the child.”

David thought for a moment.

“Those are actually small things.”

Dad smiled.

“Yes. But those small things show that you love G-d.”

“When you are honest.”

“When you are kind.”

“When you do not take anything that does not belong to you.”

“And when you speak well about other people.”

“Then you are doing what G-d wants.”

David smiled.

“I also want to pay attention to the small things.”

Dad gave him a hug.

“That is exactly what Ekev teaches us.”

Whoever is faithful in the small things shows that he loves G-d.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein and Angelique Sijbolts

Sources:

Deuteronomy 7:12. Rashi on Deuteronomy 7:12. Pirkei Avot 2:1 . Babylonian Talmud, Bava Metzia 58b

If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN