All Actions Have Consequences

 

By analyzing two interpretations of the word Ekev separately and together, we can suggest an important theme that emerges from Parshat Ekev.

Rashi does not treat the word literally, but rather homiletically. The word Ekev has the same letters as the word Akev, which means a heel. Rashi explains that Moshe here is warning the people not to discard those mitzvot which some would consider easy, or less important. Make sure not to step on them with your heel, says Rashi, and you will be rewarded for taking even ‘kalot’ light mitzvot seriously.

There really is no such thing as kallot, as small things. An attention to detail is necessary in all aspects of our life. As Larry Bell, 20^th cen. industrialist (founder of Bell Helicopters) once said: Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.” The greatest rabbis are those that have a keen attention to detail, people, and causes.

The Ramban explains that the word Ekev means Baavur, literally “because of” or “as a result of”. According to Ramban, the Parsha opens with Moshe reminding the Jewish People that there are consequences to our behavior. How we conduct ourselves will have a direct impact on how G-d relates to us, or more precisely to what degree we are able to benefit from G-d in our lives. This idea forms the backbone of the entire Parsha and is important enough that the Rabbis chose the end of our parsha as the second paragraph of the Shema b/c of its emphasis on Sechar V’onesh, that there are consequences to our actions.

If we allow Rashi’s comments to inform our understanding of Ramban’s interpretation, then the word Ekev reminds us that there are consequences to even seemingly small decisions and actions. And those consequences may be significantly different or more severe than anyone would have ever imagined.

Chazal were familiar with this idea. Take, for example, Shemitah. The idea that Shemitah cancels debts was to benefit the borrowers and allow them to get a leg up every seven years. Instead, it was worse for them as people stopped lending money, Hillel had to ameliorate the situation with the Prozbul. The pages of the Talmud and Midrash are replete with examples of seemingly minor acts of goodness or evil that had consequences far beyond what anyone could have imagined. One word, Ekev, has multiple interpretations. We must appreciate that our actions have consequences.  We must understand that nothing of substance can ever be classified as kallot. Even seemingly minor actions or events can have major impact. If we keep these lessons in mind then we can be assured that that we will be worthy of all the blessings that Hashem has promised us in Parshat Ekev.