By J.J. Rosenfeld
“And it shall come to pass, because (eikev) you listen…”
(Deuteronomy 7:12)
The Purpose of the Torah
Baal HaSulam writes in his famous essay Matan Torah that the sole purpose of the Torah and the mitzvot is to purify Israel (lezakech et Yisrael).
This does not mean that the Torah was primarily given to perfect our outward actions.
Its purpose is far deeper:
to transform the human desire to receive only for oneself into a desire to give.
From this perspective, we can understand the entire message of Parshat Eikev.
Why Does the Parshah Begin with the Word “Eikev”?
Our Sages teach that the word eikev also means heel—the lowest part of the human body.
According to the Baal HaSulam, this alludes to the spiritual work that becomes necessary precisely when a person no longer feels any holiness or spiritual inspiration.
After all, the heel feels almost nothing.
Likewise, there are periods when:
- the heart seems closed;
- prayer feels dry;
- the Torah has lost its sweetness.
It is precisely then that the work which truly matters begins.
Serving Without Spiritual Feelings
As long as someone experiences joy in his spiritual life, he cannot know with certainty whether he is truly serving Hashem—or simply enjoying his own spiritual experiences.
But when all those feelings disappear, and he nevertheless continues to study Torah and observe the mitzvot,
he gains the opportunity to rise above his own desires.
Rabash, the eldest son of the Baal HaSulam, calls this:
working above reason (lemalah min ha-da’at).
That is why the Torah says:
“Eikev tishme’un”—because you continue to listen.
Not:
- when you understand everything;
- when you feel everything.
But even when you are in the state of the heel:
the lowest, driest, and most difficult stage.
It is precisely then that the Light of the Torah begins to perform its work.
Only the Light of the Torah Can Transform a Person
The Baal HaSulam explains that a person can never truly change himself.
The egoistic desire to receive cannot transform itself.
Only the Light hidden within the Torah possesses that power.
Therefore, our Sages teach:
“I created the evil inclination, and I created the Torah as its remedy.”
Not because knowledge saves.
Not because morality saves.
But because the Light of the Torah transforms a person from within.
Our Task Is Not to Perfect Ourselves
Our mission is not to correct ourselves.
Our mission is
to cultivate the desire for correction.
The actual transformation is performed by the Light of the Torah.
The Manna: Trusting Again Every Day
That is why the parashah next speaks about the manna.
“Man does not live by bread alone…”
The manna was food over which people had no control.
They were forbidden to save it for the next day.
Every morning they had to go out and gather it again.
Why?
Because Hashem wanted to teach Israel that spirituality is never built upon what has already been accumulated.
Every day begins anew.
Every day requires:
- a new desire;
- a new prayer;
- a renewed trust.
Spiritual Growth Comes in Stages
The Baal HaSulam also writes that in spiritual life there is no permanent feeling of fulfillment.
First, the Light departs.
Then a sense of emptiness returns.
It is precisely that emptiness which creates room for a greater revelation.
Therefore, one should not fear spiritual decline.
On the contrary,
what appears to be a descent is often the preparation for a larger spiritual vessel (kli).
“My Own Strength Has Accomplished This”
Later, the Torah warns:
“My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.”
According to the Baal HaSulam, this does not refer only to material wealth.
It applies equally to every spiritual achievement.
The moment a person thinks:
- “I understand it.”
- “I have attained it.”
- “I have become more righteous.”
he has already begun to separate himself from Hashem.
For in truth, a person possesses nothing of his own.
Even the smallest desire for spirituality is a gift from Above.
True Humility
True humility does not mean belittling oneself.
True humility is the realization that:
Everything comes from Hashem.
And ultimately, everything returns to Him.
The Land of Israel as an Inner Reality
That is why the parashah concludes with the promise of the Land of Israel.
In the language of Kabbalah, Eretz (land) is related to ratzon (desire).
The Land of Israel is therefore, first and foremost, an inner spiritual state.
It is a desire directed entirely toward
Yashar-El—straight to Hashem.
Not every desire is Eretz Yisrael.
Only a desire that has been purified and corrected.
Why Forty Years in the Wilderness?
That is why the Jewish people first had to spend forty years in the wilderness.
Not because the geographical journey was so long.
But because the desire to receive requires time
to become fit to receive the Divine Light.
The Message of Parshat Eikev
Parshat Eikev teaches us:
- Do not wait for extraordinary spiritual feelings.
- Do not rely solely on your own understanding.
- Renew each day your desire for inner transformation.
Then the Light of the Torah will accomplish its work.
Not suddenly.
Not through a miracle.
But according to the unchanging spiritual law:
The Divine Light rests wherever there is equivalence of form with the Creator.
A Prayer
May Hashem grant us the strength to remain faithful to His service even during the times of the heel—when we feel nothing at all.
May He grant us the true prayer:
not the desire for spiritual pleasure,
but the desire for inner transformation.
And may the Light of the Torah purify our will to receive,
until we attain complete devekut—perfect attachment.
