This week, in parashat Eikev, Moses tells the story of the experiences of the Israelites as they wander through the wilderness. One of the verses he uses has become famous: ‘Man (humanity) does not live by bread alone.’ Moses is reminding the Israelites that God has provided them what they have needed in the desert, including water, manna and quail. All human beings need food to live but Moses is telling them that they wouldn’t have the food without God. ‘The people need to learn that they are always and everywhere dependent on God’, according to Rabbi Shai Held. As Patrick Miller says, ‘In the time of wilderness hunger, Israel was given nourishment and life by God’s gift of manna.’ The Israelites are hungry and thirsty; they call out to God, and water and manna is delivered.
Moses knows it is easy to appreciate God when the Israelites are clearly dependent on God to provide food and water. It will be much harder when the Israelites cross into the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey, where rain is naturally plentiful, figs and pomegranates are on trees everywhere, and grapes grow the size of melons. When they have everything they want at their fingertips, will they remember that what comes easily is also from God? Will they still thank God for what they have? In our parasha, we are told that the people should eat and be satisfied, then give thanks to God.
The lesson for us is clear. We may have much in our lives; food may be plentiful and Trader Joe’s is always around the corner, but that is when we most need to give thanks. Our parasha tells us to take nothing for granted. We are always dependent on God’s gifts, and thanking God every day is part of our covenant with the Divine. We live out parashat eikev when we bless every meal, and every day.
This Shabbat, bless every meal before you eat, and after you eat, recite the blessing found in our parasha; ‘ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַטֹּבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָֽתַן־לָֽךְ׃ ‘When you have eaten your fill, give thanks to the Eternal your God for the good land which God has given you.’ (Dt.8:10)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
