Tomer Belkin – Year 12

Moshe, the leader of the Israelites, knows he is not allowed into the land of Israel. Despite this, we see in this parashah, Eikev, he continues to lead the Jewish people until the very end. He tells the Israelites, who were not always faithful, that it was the faith of their ancestors that leads to their entering the Promised Land.

To me that’s huge.

We go to an incredible private school, with other fantastic people and we have access to practically a new building every other year, and it’s all thanks to our parents. They don’t get to go into the “Land of Israel”, and yet they try so hard to ensure that our lives are full of “milk and honey”.

I have trials in a week; and over the weekend I was so stressed I think my hair almost turned grey. And throughout it all, my dad was there, and he comforted me, and forced me to work, and bought a tub of Ben and Jerrys’ Double Choc Fudge, all whilst looking after my two infant half-siblings.

To me, this parashah really made me think about how lucky I am, to be so tight with my parents, but I think it’s more than that. This isn’t just about remembering to be thankful for our parents, but also to think about those around us who need us. What are we able to do to those around us, bearing in mind that we may very well not get the milk or the honey, to make their lives better?