Torah Portion Eikev Handout
Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25

CLINGING TO GOD
Sandy Kress

I have always been fascinated by the biblical instruction to cling (or cleave) to God. 

We are more accustomed to the other powerful ideas in Deuteronomy 11:22 - to love God and to walk in God's ways. But, to cling to God - what does that mean?

Some sages say it means to attach oneself to scholars of the Torah, of the Bible. Others say it means to avoid the temptation of idolatry by remaining steadfast in our covenant with God. 

I like Ramban's idea that clinging to God means striving to be near God in all aspects of living. In that nearness, one's soul "shall be bound in the bundle of life," where one's being becomes "a residence for the Divine Glory."

This teaching has special importance for us as we continue our study in Deuteronomy, particularly what it means to enter and live in the Promised Land. Perhaps, whatever our physical locale, it is that place where we make ourselves a residence for the Divine Glory. 

Torah Portion Eikev Handout

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