Parshat Eikev
Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer

"And it shall be that if ("eikev") you hearken to these statutes...God will safeguard for you the covenant..." (7:12) Upon this verse, Rashi invokes the famous interpretation of the Tanchuma: If you hearken to the lighter mitzvos which one treads with one's heel ("eikev", meaning heel in Hebrew), God will safeguard for you...

A rudimentary reading of Parshas Eikev compels one to ask how the Tanchuma's explanation relates to the context of the pesukim or to the parshah as a whole. The verses at the beginning of Eikev, as well as the entirety of the parshah, deal with trust and reliance on God, and - in turn - His care for the Jews. It elaborates on this concept in light of Hashem's sustenance of Bnei Yisroel in the desert, their failure to trust in Him at the time of the Chet Ha-Egel, and many other circumstances which display God's care for His people when they perform His will and go in His ways. Why is meticulous adherence to "minor" mitzvos seemingly presented as key - as an introduction - to overall reliance on God and trust in Him?

When one is extremely punctilious about the slightest thing - be it in the realm of academics, dress, speech, or any other matter - it indicates that he is conscious on a very deep level about the area of his punctiliousness. Such a person has ingrained into his psyche the import of the field which his meticulous actions reflect. So, too, one who is extra cautious in his observance of even the most neglected mitzvos is internally mindful of the fact that Hashem is always present and accessible, observing his deeds and taking note. One can only attain a level of trust and reliance on God if he is aware of His presence and involvement in his life, and he realizes that Hashem is monitoring the actions of all mankind and interacting with the world in consonance with its deeds and attitudes.

Thus, observance of "minor" mitzvos which one treads with the heel is not only commendable and commanded; rather, it reflects a state of consciousness of the immanence of the Divine in one's existence. This is truly the most profound level of reliance and trust in God.

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