The next parashah for the first Shabbat in August (August 1, 2026) is Parashat Eikev. This portion focuses on consequence, memory, and gratitude when moving from scarcity to abundance.
Eikev warns that when people become comfortable, wealthy, and secure, they risk saying, "My own power and the might of my hand have gathered this wealth for me."
Portugal was great and still exists today, although in a small size and with its hand extended to Europe, largely thanks to the Jewish people.
The portion counsels against forgetting collective roots. Moses repeatedly tells the people not to forget the past, using history as an ethical anchor for the future. Honoring past trials and historical truths prevents repeating past mistakes.
Historically, when Jewish communities were protected by local elites, they frequently contributed significantly to the economic, scientific, and cultural prosperity of their host nations; conversely, persecuting them always led to measurable declines.
