Tomorrow is my Hebrew birthday: 18 Av. This year, it falls on Shabbat and arrives carrying Parashat Eikev, which feels less like a birthday gift than an annual performance review personally delivered by Moshe Rabbeinu.

Some people receive flowers. I receive five chapters of Deuteronomy reminding me not to become arrogant, forget G‑D, worship anything inappropriate, or claim sole credit for my achievements.

There is also cake, presumably, although Eikev has quite a lot to say about what happens after one has eaten and is satisfied.

I turn 57 on the secular calendar the following day. Fifty-seven is an interesting age. It is too old to describe poor decisions as youthful indiscretion, but apparently not old enough to stop making them. By now, I should possess wisdom, serenity and a sophisticated understanding of what truly matters. Instead, I possess three cats, an unfinished television series and an impressive ability to enter a room without retaining any information about why.

Fortunately, Eikev is a parashah for people whose spiritual development has not proceeded according to schedule.

Moshe is nearing the end of his life and continuing his farewell address to the Israelites. “Farewell address” makes it sound rather more concise than it is. This is Moshe’s opportunity to revisit forty years of national history, and he has kept the receipts.

He reminds the Israelites of the Golden Calf, the broken Tablets, the rebellions, the complaints and the many........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)