THE SEVEN SPECIES & GRACE AFTER MEALS

Rabbi Dunner addresses two topics taken from Parshat Eikev.

Firstly, why is the Land of Israel praised as the land of the ‘Seven Species’ – wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates? What about any of the other many fruits that flourish there? Why were these seven singled out? Rabbi Dunner examines a mysterious dispute in the Talmud, behind which lies an ancient secret that reveals all.

Rabbi Dunner also takes a look at the mitzva of Birkat Hamazon, the blessings we say after every meal. This Torah-mandated law raises many questions. Why is it so important to acknowledge God after a meal, and not before? If the Torah doesn’t mention blessings before food, why do we need to say them? What does Birkat HaTorah, the blessings we say before the study of Torah, have to do with Birkat Hamazon?

Rabbi Dunner shares Rabbi Meir Simcha HaKohen of Dvinsk’s ingenious insight that reveals the necessity of all of these blessings, and their correlation, in the context of one’s personal connection to God and His Torah.

PARSHAT EIKEV 2015 – SOURCE SHEET