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D''vrei Mordechai

by Reb Mordechai Rosen z"l
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What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you, but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways? (Devorim, Perek Yud, Pasuk Yud Gimmel)

Parshas Eikev

In the beginning of Perek Yud Alef, the Pasuk describes to us the beauty of Eretz Yisrael and the way that it differs from the land of Mitzrayim. It tells us that it is a land on which Hashem keeps his eye and that if we keep his commandments that it will be plentiful. Specifically it says "Aynay Hashem Elokecha Bah, Mayrayshis Hashanah V'ad Acharis Shanah". The eyes of Hashem are on her from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.

What is interesting is that the word "Mayrayshis" is written without an Alef and the second time it says "the year" it is written without the Hey (Shanah instead of Hashanah). That is because these words are a reference to the Bais Hamikdash.

The Pasuk says "Aynay Hashem Elokecha" - the eyes of Hashem, "bah," on her. The word "bah" is written with the letters Bais, Hey, the same letters that are the Roshei Teivos of the words Bais Hamikdash. So, we can understand the Pasuk to mean that the eyes of Hashem are on the Temple. "Mayrashis" can be read "Mayrash Yud Tes" from the beginning of 410 - the amount of years that Bais Hamikdash stood. And "Acharis" can be read "Achar Yud Tes" until after 410.

The eyes of Hashem were on the Bais Hamikdash for 410 years. And the reason it ends with "Shanah" - year, instead of "Hashnah" - the year, is because once the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed the year lost its importance in Hashem's eyes.

 



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