28 Jul EKEV: REACHING HIGHER

Parashat Ekeb
includes the second
paragraph of our
daily Shema recitation
(“Ve’haya Im
Shamo’a”), in which the Torah promises
that G-d would reward our observance
of the Misvot with material prosperity.
Hashem says that if we observe His
commands, “I will provide the rain of
your land in its time” (“Ve’natati Metar
Arsechem Be’ito” – 11:14).
Rashi comments: “You did what is
incumbent upon you, so I, too, will do
what is incumbent upon Me.”
The question arises as to what prompted
Rashi to make this remark, and how this
enhances our understanding of the verse.
Is it not obvious that Hashem here is
promising adequate rainfall as a reward
for our compliance with His commands?
What does Rashi seek to clarify?
A brilliant explanation of Rashi’s
comment was offered by the late Rebbe
of Lubavitch. He suggested that Rashi
was addressing a question that arises from

a comparison between this verse and an
earlier verse which similarly promises
rainfall as a reward for Misva observance.
In the beginning of Parashat Behukotai
(Vayikra 26:4), G-d pronounces that if
we obey His commands, “I shall grant
your rainfall in its time” (“Ve’natati
Gishmechem Be’ito”). There, Hashem
promises to provide “Gishmechem” –
“your rainfall,” whereas here, in Parashat
Ekeb, He promises “Metar Arsechem” –
“the rain of your land.” In other words,
Parashat Behukotai speaks of “our
rainfall,” as though we are given some
kind of special rain, while Parashat Ekeb
speaks of the land’s rain, the rain that the
land naturally requires.
The clue to understanding this
discrepancy, the Rebbe explains, is found
in Rashi’s opening comments to Parashat
Behukotai. There Rashi writes that the
blessings described in that section are
promised if “Tiheyu Amelim Ba’Torah”
– the people “toil” and invest intensive
efforts in Torah study. Here in Parashat
Ekeb, by contrast, the Torah speaks of
a time when Beneh Yisrael simply obey

the Torah, but are not necessarily striving
for more, applying themselves diligently
to Torah learning. In Parashat Behukotai,
then, the Torah refers to an exceptionally
high spiritual level, in reward for which
G-d promises not just rainfall, but
“your rain” – a supernatural rain that is
especially catered to our needs, that falls
at precisely the right time and precisely
the right manner that works the best for
us. The rainfall promised in Parashat
Ekeb, however, is a natural rainfall that
will suffice to provide the food we need,
but not beyond that.
The Rebbe explained that this is Rashi’s
intent in making the comment, “You did
what is incumbent upon you, so I, too,
will do what is incumbent upon Me.”
Rashi anticipates the question of why
this verse uses the expression “Metar
Arsechem,” as opposed to the verse in
Parashat Behukotai, which uses the verse
“Gishmechem.” The answer, Rashi is
telling us, is that the Torah speaks here of
Beneh Yisrael doing “what is incumbent”
upon them – without striving for more. In
Parashat Behukotai, the Torah promises

the special, supernatural rain that Beneh
Yisrael deserve when they not only fulfill
their basic obligations but passionately
pursue spiritual greatness by devoting
their time and efforts to the intensive
study of Torah. In Parashat Ekeb, Beneh
Yisrael are described as merely satisfying
their requirements, and so although
they are of course worthy of significant
rewards, they do not earn the special
reward of “Gishmechem.”
In this brief remark, Rashi teaches us to
always strive for more, to reach beyond
the simple fulfillment of our religious
obligations, and to pursue excellence in
our service of Hashem.