Jewish Indy - PARSHAT EIKEV 5770: DEVEKUT

The Piaseczner Rebbe[4] learns from our verse the necessity of internal motivation for Avodat HaShem. External pressure, by definition, can only take a person so far, rather the essence is that one must enslave himself, focusing his mind and will upon avoda. He goes on to explain that when one sees rabbis who essentially cease to study once they begin working in the rabbinate, this is a sure sign that there were only externally motivated.[5] The Rebbe goes on to give us practical advice for self-motivation in learning; choose a tractate to complete and to remember and imagine how happy you will be to complete that tractate and to remember it, as you will then become a bit of a "ben Tora"…then go on to another tractate and then another. This plan isn't only regarding learning, but also the work on our character traits; also in matters of avoda, divide your avoda into parts, except upon yourself to perfect a certain mida and then push yourself to complete it. When you feel inside that you have succeeded somewhat[6] then go on to another mida. The Rebbe continues with the dramatic statement that the avoda is the beginning of and the essence of Judaism and Chassidut…the avoda is the essence. He thus explains our verse as teaching us that the path to devekut is dependent upon inner motivation to fulfill the mitzva and to walk in His ways, one mitzva at a time, one mida at a time, and one mesechet at a time. What matters is sincere motivation and self-discipline.

Rav Zaddok[7] tells us that the Holy Jew of Preshyscha would study verses from Devarim on a daily basis, for he viewed it as the paramount work of Jewish ethics. As we turn the corner from Shabbat Nachamu and Tu B'Av towards the month of Elul, let us take the lessons of our parsha to heart.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rav Zvi

[1] Devarim 11:22. The ideal of devekut is central to Chassidut. For early material see Baal Shem Tov al haTora, Eikev, sections 32-55. The Netivot Shalom often quotes the words of the Zohar that the 613 mitzvot are actually 613 paths to achieve the mitzva of devekut.

[2] Devarim 4:24.

[3] In other sources this type of mental concentration is sometimes referred to as hitboddidut hamachshava. See Moshe Idel, Perakim b'Kabala Nevuit, ch. 7.

[4] Derech HaMelech, Eikev, (undated).

[5] I heard a funny story from my friend Rav Aharon Silver shlit"a. He told me that when his grandfather, the Gaon Rav Eliezer Silver zt"l first came from Europe to a small town rabbinate in America ; the shul board was convinced that they had been tricked. The young man spent so much time studying that they were sure he must still be a "rabbinical student"!

[6] Note that the Rebbe doesn't demand perfection. As is well known the desire for perfection can be one of the biggest impediments to avoda and to self-improvement. Rebbe Nachman stresses this in several places.

[7] Pri Zaddik, Devarim 1.

Rav Zvi Leshem is a valued contributor to JewishIndy. He is the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Shirat Shlomo in Efrat. He holds a PhD in Jewish Philosophy and is the author of Redemptions: Contemporary Chassidic Essays on the Parsha and the Festivals. He holds a B.A. in History from Columbia University as well as a B.A. in Talmud. Making aliya with his wife Julie in 1979, he spent many years at Yeshivat HaMivtar, and was ordained by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. He is also an ordained scribe. Rav Zvi earned an M.A. in Jewish Philosophy from Touro College and his PhD. at Bar-Ilan University in Chassidic Thought, writing his dissertation on the Piaseczner Rebbe's Definition of Chassidut. Rav Zvi was also a Jerusalem Fellow. In 1986 he traveled to the Soviet Union on a secret mission to train underground Torah teachers. He served for many years in an I.D.F. combat unit.

Rav Zvi has taught in many Yeshivot and programs for young women, both Israelis and English speakers. He served for 18 years as Associate Dean and Director of Overseas Programs at Nishmat. He is currently the Rav of the English-speaking community of Bar-Ilan University and a Research Fellow at Yeshivat Siach Yitzchak.
Rav Zvi and his wife Julie, a Judaica and functional potter and ceramics teacher, make their home in Efrat where he serves as the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Shirat Shlomo. They have six children and several grandchildren. He is the author of Redemptions: Contemporary Chassidic Essays on the Parsha and the Festivals.