03/12/25 - I have, after a long period of absence, needed to open my blog site to day (see the post https://theshofarblows-steve.blogspot.com/2025/12/religions-vs-relationship-what-is-our.html) - to my surprise I found what is recorded below the demarcation in my drafts - a commentary on Parashat EKEV from last year - I cannot even remember why I penned it or did not send it out, however here it is - and it seems to line up very well with a WhatsApp I posted just yesterday and entitled "Change of Heart - Change of Mind!
Is the Father trying to tell us something?
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Furthering the Biblical concept of, and my deep-rooted concern for, us as members of His Body to be growing in UNITY and RELATIONSHIP with Elohim and each other in and through Yeshua AND as led by The Ruach (Mar_12:29-31 arw Deu_6:4) and not to be trapped in a dead one-sided cold and dogmatic religion, I briefly offer the following single example drawn from this weeks Parsha 46 - EKEV and verse Deu_7:12.
From my own understanding of the Parsha plus other commentaries, one sent by a sister and the another based on the Rabbis' son (my go to TORAH commentator) I offer the following:
In an attempt to highlight the variations and nuances between our differing Western and the Hebrew mindsets in both commentaries and translations and thus be offered, if we are willing to accept the offer, an opportunity to have open and fruitful discussions, including even differing in good faith on our initial and subsequent growing understanding of the Holy Word and The SPIRIT behind The Word - we would, I dare to suggest, need to develop our thought process to alignment with the Mind Of Elohim thus in so doing we shall no longer conform to the world but come around to what please HIM (Rom_12:2). In other words we begin to become more like YESHUA and less like our fallen selves serving the Elohim of Creating not the elohim of our creation (Golden Calf?)!
Parsha EKEV is entitled variously in English as - Because; As a result; If [you follow] and similar translations all having the meaning of something happening as a result of .. similar to the Latin legal maxim of quid pro quo - you do this I do that sort of arrangement - the focus being on just following the Commandments given by Moshe (Ecc_12:13) and then to receive in return certain benefits: Now this interpretation is basically correct and I have absolutely no problem with it; however let's now look at how the sages with their Hebraic mindset approach this word EKEV (heel):-
In Deu_7:12 we are able to see that to translate the Hebrew consisting of just 2 words takes five English words: And it will be (v'haya - to create or exist) because (eikev - heel).
The Sages concentrate on the word EIKEV / EKEV from which the Parsha is named - in other words they concentrate on the OBJECT of the sentence and not the SUBJECT there-of, that is to say the action (verb) as opposed to the concept. The action shows the concept - James 2:14-26.
Now EKEV as stated is the heel of the foot and has the same root as the name of the patriarch JACOB and this word has a first mention in Gen_3:15 - and taking this root of heel into consideration the sages thus arrive at the following understanding which, as a rule, is lost to us Westerners with our thought processes - Avraham's entire being was convinced of what Elohim revealed to him and thus he aligned every thought and ACTION to reflect that conviction, in other words Avraham Avinu LOVED Elohim applying Mark 12:30-31 arw John 14:15.
Looking at the western minded approach to translations EKEV is translated as the concepts of if or because, giving the general idea of either if you do .... or because you do which basically applies that doing the deed "religiously" results in the blessings!
or
MKJV - "And it shall be, because (EKEV) you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, ..."
However now here are 2 Jewish minded / nuanced Translations which introduce an action / compliance because of a Relationship, trust, -
It will happen, on the heels (EKEV - implying the idea of right behind one applying this commandment physically by choice) of ... you [corporately in this case but also applies individually] turning your ear to, paying attention to, listening to, hearing, coming into alignment with, and living in harmony with these decrees of right/excellent living ... and cherishing, treasuring, guarding them, and building, making, and implementing them in practical ways ... (Deu_7:12 (a))
and extracted from Hebrew for Christians
“and it shall be when your heel (EKEV) is ready to take a step, you will listen to your heart.” [Heart is considered in Biblical Hebraic thought / expression as the seat of life or strength. Hence, it means mind, soul, spirit, or one's entire emotional nature and understanding. - NB Honest and pondered understanding). This is the step of faith. As you begin to walk with Elohim, you will come to know yourself as a child of the great King.
We are shown the usage of the Hebrew word EKEV in Gen_26:5 "Because (EKEV) that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. "
Hebraic thought on this verse is therefore - “Because (EKEV) Abraham heard My voice”: The sages say this of this verse - "Abraham heard the Word "Down to his HEEL" and therefore just like Avraham Avinu followed YHWH Elohim with complete commitment and total abandonment to HIS will, we too when we hear HIS Voice must walk with HIM by this demonstrated FAITH.
I spoke a few days ago of FAITH being the very foundation of our relationship and identity with Elohim - (WhatsApp 18/08/24 - WHERE IS OUR IDENTITY? WHO ARE WE?)
With just this one example of the nuances and differing approaches to the Word and it's understanding through the Western thought and Hebraic thought and when bringing the Word under a Relationship and seeing it as a physical AND Spiritual path to LIFE (a Korban - Rom_12:1-2) and not a Religious Lifeless doctrine (Sacrifices - works which Eph_2:8-9 disqualifies) and when reading Scripture verses such as Jos_1:8 arw 1Th_5:16-17 (Pray without ceasing - BUT HOW _ PHYSICAL)? - Answer through Psa_46:10 by working out our SALVATION (WAY - PHYSICAL) with fear and trembling Php_2:12-13 we are able to see that YESHUA assists us by helping us carry our CROSS, which is both a physical and spiritual action, is not a burden we are to work out alone BUT rather in a Covenant Relationship with Messiah Yeshua!
Boaz
19/08/24 (Blog - Shofar Blows)
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Which MIND SET do you dear reader follow - that of Slavery, Manipulation, victimhood and works of man - Tree of Good and Evil (systemic Religion and traditions) or Freedom, Light, Shalom - The Tree of Life - Yeshua?
Boaz - 05/12/2025
