What is it about that first bite of a ripe fig or the crunch of fresh pomegranate seeds that satisfies more than just physical hunger? Food isn’t just fuel—it can be a memory, a story, even a portal to gratitude. Our tradition’s blessings over food can feel routine, but Parshat Eikev invites us to pause and reconnect with those deeper emotional ties.

Parshat Eikev continues Moses’s farewell address, reminding the Israelites of the rewards for faithfulness and the dangers of forgetfulness. He recounts their journey through the wilderness, the provision of manna, and how character is shaped through adversity. Moses warns the people not to take prosperity for granted once they settle in the Promised Land, urging them to remember that it’s God who provides sustenance and success.

In Deuteronomy 8:7–8, we read a vivid description of the land the Israelites are about to enter:

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land … a land of wheat and barley, vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.”

These seven species—shiv’at haminim—are not only agricultural staples; they symbolize abundance, rootedness, and the sacred relationship between people and land. From this passage comes the obligation to bless God before enjoying these fruits, with specific blessings such as “Baruch atah Adonai … borei pri ha’eitz” for tree-grown fruits, and “… borei minei mezonot” for grains.

These blessings are small daily acts that acknowledge a deeper truth: the food we eat isn’t just from the earth, it’s a gift from God. The Torah’s message urges us, even in times of abundance, to remember who makes it possible.

Parshat Eikev challenges us to infuse mindfulness into our most mundane routines. A blessing over fruit can become a moment of spiritual grounding. As we savor the sweetness of what the land offers, whether from Israel or our own backyard, we’re called to bring awareness, gratitude, and humility into our lives.

– Rabbi Eve Posen

Source: A Blessing for the Land