We're diving into the word ekev, which means "because" or "in consequence of." But it's not just a simple "A leads to B" kind of situation. It's layered with history, Divine promise, and a little bit of foot-stomping.
The passage opens with a verse from Psalms: "Gilad is mine, Manasseh is mine" (Psalms 60:9). What's Gilad got to do with anything? Well, Reish Lakish, whose teachings are often cited in the Midrash, connects these figures to the tribe of Judah. It's a subtle way of saying that even in moments of division or struggle, there's a core of unity and belonging. As we find in Bemidbar Rabbah, there's always a thread connecting us.
Then things get a bit…intense. "Moav is my washbasin" (Psalms 60:10). Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta interprets this as God preparing a "cauldron of punishment" for Moav. And then, the image of God casting his shoe on Edom – "I will cast my shoe on Edom" (Psalms 60:10). According to Rabbi Shimon, God says, "When everything is prepared for repentance, I will stomp Edom’s winepress with the heel [baakev] of my foot." Now, that’s some serious Divine retribution! It all hinges on that word, ekev – when will these things happen because of something? When we "heed," when we listen.
But here's where it gets really interesting. The text shifts to a message of comfort and reassurance. God isn't treating us like a flawed slave, Rav Aḥa explains. God isn't just trying to get rid of us for whatever price we'll fetch. Instead, any suffering is meant to prepare our hearts to return. To teshuvah, to repentance.
And here's the kicker: God took an oath to never forsake Israel. Rav Aḥa finds this oath in the book of Amos: "Therefore [lakhen], so I will do to you, Israel" (Amos 4:12). He points out that lakhen, "therefore," is synonymous with an oath, just as we see in the story of Eli's sons (I Samuel 3:14). So, even in the midst of affliction, there's an unbreakable promise.
But there's a condition. Until when will God "afflict" us? Until the end, haakev. "Because [ekev] I will do this to you" (Amos 4:12) – until you observe My mitzvot completely [ad haakev]. Until we fully embrace and observe the commandments. In essence, the "because" is a call to action. It's an invitation to live a life of meaning and purpose, rooted in our tradition.
So, what does this all mean for us today? It's a reminder that even when things are tough, there's a deeper purpose at play. It's an encouragement to listen, to heed, to strive to live according to our values. And it's a powerful message of hope, knowing that we are bound to the Divine by an unbreakable oath. Maybe the "because" isn't so much about punishment as it is about potential. What do you think?