Deut. 7:12 - 11:25
Précis: Moses continues his recapitulation of the commandments to the people, reminding them to be obedient to God’s laws in their forthcoming struggle with the Canaanites. He describes in detail all of the blessings which God had already provided them, and reminds them to bless and thank God for the bounty they receive. On the other hand, they should follow the rebelliousness of their fathers, including the incident of the Golden Calf, punishment will occur.
Deut. 7:12-14 “And if you do obey these rules and observe them carefully, the Lord your God will maintain faithfully for you the covenant that He made on oath with your fathers: He will favor you and bless you and multiply you; He will bless the issue of your womb...You shall be blessed above all other peoples: there shall be no sterile male or female among you or among your livestock...”
As noted by Rabbi Lauren Eichler Berkun (MyJewishLearning.com 7/27/10) the themes of fertility and barrenness are at the center of much of our biblical narrative. Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and the Shunamite woman are examples of this theme. Here, the covenant between God and Israel is presented as one based on fertility, and within this parasha, the blessings of Birkat Hamazon and the Sh’ma both include references to fertility as well. The Exodus itself is a story of God’s leading the people from “barren” wilderness to a “fertile” new land.
But the People, in their new land, would prosper only if they adhered to the commandments; even the rain depended upon their faithfulness. God is portrayed as fundamental to life and its survival, particularly with regard to fertility of both the land and its people. From this perspective, the biblical narrative’s emphasis on barrenness is a natural complement to the text here. We create human beings out of our own bodies, but it is God who opens the womb.
The text is a powerful reminder that while we are God’s partner’s in the creation of life, it is God who brings life, and sustains it.
