Welcome to the short, practical Lelamed Weekly Dvar and Daily Aliyah. As always, you can Order The Daily Aliyah and receive your hard copy of these daily practical and relevant Torah thoughts (all proceeds go to Daily Giving), or join this Whatsapp group to receive one per day. I hope you find this meaningful...

The Torah says, “And it will be because [“eikev”] you will need these ordinances and keep them and perform them, and G-d will keep for you the covenant and kindness that He swore to your forefathers” (7:12). Many commentaries question the use of the word “Eikev,” as it’s not a common word used in the Torah, and it has the second meaning of “heel.”

Oznayim LaTorah explains that when we do something alone, it helps us personally, either by helping to strengthen our relationship with G-d or by improving ourselves. However, when we perform a positive action among other people, there is a secondary benefit of inspiring them to do the same. Although this may seem like an unintended consequence (hence the term “heel,” which is in the back of the foot), it is precisely this inspiration of others and strength in numbers that creates G-d’s protection and prompts more kindness. Our actions influence others, and although we think those actions are obscured like heels, they are essential to moving forward collectively.

Shlomo Ressler

Quotation of the week:
"The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion."