The seforim hakedoshim teach that even though we are living in the time of Ikvesa d’Meshicha, the end of galus, and we are certainly not on the level of the earlier generations in our avodas Hashem, Hashem has a special nachas from us. Even though we live in difficult times with many nisayonos, we still do our best to be good Yidden. Our simple avodas Hashem in these times is as precious to Hashem as the great avodah of our ancestors.
This is what the passuk means by “V’hayah eikev tishme’un” — “And it will be because you listen.” In the times of “eikev,” Ikvesa d’Meshicha, even if we simply listen to Hashem without great kavanos, it brings tremendous simcha to Hashem, and He gives us all the brachos that follow. (Tiferes Shlomo, Yismach Yisroel)
#1 In Shema it says, “Asher Anochi metzaveh eschem hayom” — “That I command you today.” Did Hashem give us the Torah today?
#2 How did the insect called tzirah help the Yidden conquer Eretz Yisroel?
#3 What is the difference between pachad and mo’ra?
Answers: 1) The Torah should always be as special in our eyes as if Hashem gave it to us today. 2) It would shoot poison from far away into the enemies’ eyes and blind them. 3) Pachad is a weaker fear that is only felt when something is close by. Mo’ra is a much stronger fear that is felt even from far away. (Rashi 11:25)
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 92.