Parshat Eikev

4 myths

Promises of blessing for obedience, the description of the Land of Israel, remembering the golden calf, and the second tablets. Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25.
Parshat Eikev 5 min

Two Sages Fought Over Where Rain Comes From and Both Were Right

Rabbi Eliezer said rain rises from the sea. Rabbi Joshua said it drops from above the sky. Between them they made the heavens a millstone grinding the ocean.

Yalkut ShimoniGenesisCreationRainCosmologyWisdomLand Of IsraelEgyptJobDependenceJacobDivine ProvidenceMidrash AggadahTorah
Parshat Eikev 5 min

The Manna in the Desert Tasted Like Whatever You Wanted

In the desert, manna appeared at every door each morning except Shabbat. The taste changed with each bite to match what you desired, unless you were wicked.

MannaMiraclesExodusDesertMosesEgyptYitroWellsMekhilta
Parshat Eikev 4 min

When Torah Became God's Seal on a Breakable World

After the Golden Calf, Moses holds stone carved by human hands. Devarim Rabbah says God signed it with the word that begins and ends all creation.

TorahCreationMosesTruthDevarim Rabbah
Parshat Eikev 5 min

Shimon HaAmsoni Stopped When Fear Left Nothing to Add

Et (את) marks the object of a Hebrew verb. Shimon HaAmsoni read every et as an inclusion until fear of God left nothing else to add.

Shimon HaammassoniRabbi AkivaTorah StudyFear Of HeavenTalmudPesachimMidrash Method