Ekev “Because of”
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
Isaiah 49:14-51:3
Psalm 75
Matthew 25:31-46
Ekev is a wonderful view of the important events and commandments associated with them. Moses even recounts the story of how the first set of tablets was smashed and the second set of tablets, or luchot, were given in place of them. The word for “tablets” in Deuteronomy 9:10 is spelled as a singular luchat [“tablet of stone writing”], yet the tablets are voweled plural, two, luchot:
לוּחֹת
Presumably, Moses held one tablet in his left hand, and one in his right. One supported, while the other embraced. This indicates an equality between the two “hands” of the tablets written by the “finger” of God: how to love Adonai and how to love people. This sums up the greatest commandment, the Shema, and loving one’s neighbor. One, yet two.
The one, no two, luchot, are associated with this verse in the Song of Songs by Hebrew scholars:
His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me. Song of Songs 2:6
There are other views of the left and right hands that embrace Israel. One tradition is that they are the Left “hand” from which the mitzvot departed on their journey around the world, then were grasped and inscribed with the Right before they were given to Moses at Sinai.
Although written at two separate times, the two sets of tablets contained the same Ten Words. Left can indicate justice, and right, mercy. Moses would have smashed strict justice (symbolically) with the “Left” tablets, begging for mercy on Israel, mercy which was granted with the Right tablets after he had gained atonement for the Golden Calf. Yeshua suggested this same associated between left and right:
“...and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.” (Mt 25:33)
Yeshua’s parable of the sheep and goats suggests those who extended human kindness [something to eat, something to drink, clothed the poor] were living according to the Right Hand of the tablets, or Mercy, whereas those who oppressed the “little ones” were living according to Justice, and therefore, would receive the strictest justice. It reflected the strict justice by which they'd lived. The "sheep" exercised mercy to balance the strict justice endured by the needy; therefore, they received mercy to balance the justice every sinner deserves.
By withholding help from the needy, the "lefties" suggested the hungry and naked were only getting what they deserved. Heavenly Father, please, none of us can live up to that standard of justice, only die in it without Yeshua. The Torah covenant is comprised of two balanced “hands," strict justice and mercy. Next week's portion Re'eh will go so far as to have the Israelites stand on opposing mountains to proclaim the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience.
Another view of the two-handed relationship between the Holy One and Israel is found in the midrash:
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“His left hand is under my head-these are the Clouds of Glory that surrounded Israel in the Wilderness...His right hand embraces me-this is the cloud of the Divine Presence in the World to Come. Thus it is written with regard to the Future Era, ‘The sun will no longer be for you the light of the day, and for brightness, the moon will not illuminate for you...’" (Is 60:19) 2§17
The clouds of glory in the wilderness protected the Israelites in a journey that was marked by multiple rebellions and disobedience. In spite of every provision, the Israelites incurred “Left hand” justice through serpents, plague, fire, sword, tzaraat, and other means. The future gathering into the clouds, the sages say, will be different, marked by obedience and love, an embrace of the “Right hand.”
The midrash goes on to clarify the two hands and the two clouds:
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“Who, then, will illuminate for you at that time? The verse continues in Isaiah 60: 19-20, '... But you will have the LORD as an everlasting light, and your God as your glory. Your sun will no longer set, nor will your moon wane; for you will have the LORD as an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over..'” 2§17
The Midrash understands Isaiah 60:19-20 to mean that in the World to Come, a Cloud of Divine Presence will provide light for Jerusalem, just as in the Wilderness, the Clouds of Glory provided light for Israel. There will be no more need for mourning, for there will be no more rebellion, no more strict justice or curses. There will be an embrace of blessing.
The tradition of the two clouds is reflected in John's Revelation:
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There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Re 22:3-5)
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In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; (21:25)
John's vision sees the saints wearing the shel rosh, or head tefillin described in the Shema. The tefillin contain the Sacred Name among other vital verses. The balance of the two Hands of Adonai is suggested also in Moses' review of the Shema in the Torah portion:
“You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead.” (Dt 6:8)
Though the arm tefillin (phylacteries) are placed on the left hand, they are wrapped around the arm, hand, and fingers by the right hand. This may be how justice is embraced by mercy. What an inspiration to experience the profound demonstration of strict justice being bound by mercy! For a review, go to What's Inside that Box? 666 and the Grace We Missed
The Shema goes on...
“You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Dt 6:9)
The logic is that if the Divine Presence dwells in a home that has a mezuzah attached to the door, then He “faces” the door from inside it to protect the home. The mezuzah is always placed on the right-hand side of the door as one enters it. His Left hand is thus under the head of those entering the home to protect them from the strict justice of the Torah signaled by the mezuzah. At the same time, His Right arm embraces those who enter. When His bride enters His holy House, she is shielded by His justice and embraced by His glorious grace.
But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. (Ps 3:3)
The theme of the twin tablets is life and Divine hugs! So how do we hug the Holy One back? How do we hang on tightly until the Kingdom door opens?
...so choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” (Dt 30:19-20)
