Eikev 2022

(12) It will be on the heels of your hearkening to these laws and guarding their observance, that your God יהוה will guard for you the covenant and the loving kindness sworn on oath to your ancestors:

AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS ‘EIKEV’ YE HEARKEN. Eikev means “because.” So also, ‘eikev’ (because) that Abraham hearkened to My voice. And Rashi wrote: “If you will hearken even to the lighter commandments which a person usually treads upon with his ‘heels’ then G-d will keep His promise to you.” Now Scripture mentions the ordinances perhaps because he admonishes them not to be disdainful of the lightly-esteemed ordinances such as the laws pertaining to monetary matters.
And the commentators have said that the meaning of the word eikev is that “in the end” there will be reward. Similarly, in keeping them ‘eikev rav’ . The verse here is thus stating: “and the end of your hearkening to the ordinances and your observing them is that G-d shall keep the covenant and the mercy, and He will love thee. ” This is correct, for in the Sacred Language the beginning of anything is called rosh [literally: “head”], as it is said, ‘rosh’ (the beginning of) Thy word is truth. So also is the leader of the generation called “the head of the people,” and the best of spices is called rosh. Similarly, the conclusion of any matter is called akeiv (heel) as the Sacred Language adopts these figurative expressions from the human body; and thus “the head” is the beginning while “the heel” is the conclusion and end of the body. Scripture also speaks of the head and the tail, figuratively using the body of the animal.
And Onkelos rendered the word eikev as chalaf (“in exchange for”), like ‘cheilef’ (in return for) your service. Onkelos thus made it an expression of “roundabout” derived from the verse, and ‘he’akov (the crooked) shall be made straight — that is, the circuitous road which goes roundabout [will become a straight, level path]. So also ‘akubah’ of blood means “it is surrounded and encircled” . The verse here is thus stating “and it shall come to pass that the effect caused by your hearkening to the ordinances and your performing them will be that G-d will keep His covenant with you.” He has explained it well. A similar expression is ‘biglal’ this thing which means “on account of,” from the word ‘v’gal’lu’ (and they roll) the stone. Similarly it is my opinion that every expression of akeivah is a term denoting “circle” or “circuit.” Thus: ‘akov haleiv’ (the heart is deceitful); ‘vaya’akveini’ these two times; but Jehu did it ‘b’akbah’ (in subtlety) — all these being expressions of “rolling” and “circling.” Therefore they called Jacob “Jeshurun” [from the root yashar (straight and upright)] because the opposite of “the deceitful one” is he who is “upright” [as indicated by the name “Jeshurun”]. Similarly, the end-part of the foot, called akeiv — as it is said, and his hand seizing ‘ba’akeiv (the heel) of Esau — is so called because of its roundness, ....

(16) Circumcise the thickening/ foreskin of your hearts and stiffen your necks no more.

CIRCUMCISE THEREFORE THE FORESKIN OF YOUR HEART — that your heart be open to know the truth, not as you have done to this day, for the Eternal hath not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear [unto this day].

(26) And I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit into you: I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh;