HAPPY IS NOT A LUXURY, IT’S A NECESSITY
The opening verse of Parshat Eikev (Deut. 7:12) contains the unusual word “eikev”, for which there is no easily applied English translation.
The commentaries offer a variety of ideas to explain the use of this word, and to fit it into the context of the passage.
Rabbi Dunner shares a number of commentaries who see “eikev” as an aspirational ideal in terms of one’s relationship with God.
As it turns out, this passage is about God wanting us to be happy, and understanding what it conveys enables us to understand what happiness means to God, and what it should mean to us.
Photo: gustavofrazao / 123RF Stock Photo
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