TORAH: Parashat Ekev continues the ethical discourse of the dying Moshe who explains the notions of reward and punishment. He warns us against self-righteousness. When he tells us of the giving of the Second Tablets of Stone at Sinai, he seeks to impart to the nation that G-d is indeed our Creator/Parent and will bring mercy to us. Moshe reminds us of the rebellions of the Jews in the Wilderness through historical examples, trying to bring correction to an errant nation.

HAFTORAH: This is the second of the seven weeks when we read a Haftorah of Consolation. The imagery is intended to focus us on the emotional and unbreakable bond that exists between G-d and G-d’s People. It is similar to loving parents who must cope with a child who ignores and disobeys them. However, in spite of the hurt and the responsibility to punish (this does not imply physical or mental abuse), the parents are incapable of separating themselves from the love and concern they feel for their child that makes punishment so difficult! The child, therefore, is required to recognize the ever present parental love and embrace, rather than shun, the relationship. In other words, recognizing that G-d has never and will never abandoned us, especially at the times of our greatest trials and tragedies, will reawaken our love for G-d and bring comfort to us and all of Israel.