דברים, פרק ז׳, פסוק י״ג

פרשת עקב

Deuteronomy 7:13Sefaria

וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔ וּבֵרַכְךָ֖ וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ וּבֵרַ֣ךְ פְּרִֽי־בִטְנְךָ֣ וּפְרִֽי־אַ֠דְמָתֶ֠ךָ דְּגָ֨נְךָ֜ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָ שְׁגַר־אֲלָפֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת צֹאנֶ֔ךָ עַ֚ל הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָ֥תֶת לָֽךְ׃

The ultimate reward for loyalty to the divine covenant is a complete and mutual relationship with God. This connection begins with a spiritual embrace and extends down to the smallest details of material and family life. The promised abundance encompasses all levels of reality, including the inanimate, plant, animal, and human realms [אדרת אליהו, אלשיך]. Furthermore, this prosperity is delivered through direct providence from God, without any intermediaries [אלשיך].

God's relationship with His people rests on three foundational actions. The first is love, which serves as the essential condition for all subsequent blessings [ברכת אשר על התורה]. God views the people as loyal servants and beloved children, loving them for their positive deeds [ספורנו, רש"ר הירש, מלבי"ם], while also causing them to be loved and respected by their fellow human beings [רמב"ן, שפתי כהן]. Following this love is a blessing that ensures protection from harm [רמב"ן] and provides stable, unending economic prosperity [ספורנו, שפתי כהן]. Finally, the promise of multiplication is both quantitative and spiritual. It guarantees that a person's values and spirit will carry on to future generations [העמק דבר, רש"ר הירש], while also providing the resources needed to support a large family [שפתי כהן]. Some commentators connect this trio of promises to the Patriarchs, associating love with Abraham, blessing with Isaac, and multiplication with Jacob [קיצור בעל הטורים].

The divine promise then addresses specific areas of daily life, starting with children [אבן עזרא]. They will be born healthy, free from sorrow and sin [שפתי כהן], with an assurance against infertility and miscarriage [אבן עזרא, רלב"ג]. The masculine phrasing regarding human offspring suggests that a mother's fertility and the characteristics of the children are positively influenced by the father's physical and spiritual strength [תורה תמימה].

In the agricultural realm, the earth will yield its crops abundantly, provided the property is owned honestly and not acquired through theft [שפתי כהן]. This agricultural success includes the essential staples of human existence, specifically grain, wine, and oil [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Regarding livestock, the animals will give birth easily and without pain [רש"י, מזרחי, ביאור יש"ר, שפתי כהן]. The cattle will be notably large and strong [אבן עזרא, מזרחי, ברכת אשר על התורה]. As for the flocks, commentators offer two distinct but related perspectives. One approach suggests a physical description, promising strong, healthy, and choice sheep [רש"י, מזרחי, שפתי חכמים]. Another perspective focuses on the financial outcome, explaining that the flocks will enrich their owners and provide lasting economic stability [רש"י, תורה תמימה, גור אריה, ביאור יש"ר]. Additionally, these animals will be fully protected from wild beasts [שפתי כהן].

Ultimately, this vast and multi-layered abundance is entirely dependent upon the Land of Israel. It is only in this chosen land, functioning under God's direct supervision and operating beyond the regular laws of nature, that such a complete and encompassing blessing can be fully realized [ביאור יש"ר, אלשיך].

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