In Parshah Ekev, Moses places Israelâs choices and their associated consequences out in the open. Follow Godâs Law, and all will be well. There will be good food, victory in war and the people will be provided with plenty for all time. But choose to ignore the Law, and Israel will be dispossessed. We are given absolute assurance that it is not just Godâs promise that Israel will inherit the land that guarantees the settlement will succeed -- it is the sin and failure of those already dwelling within it that justifies their dispossession. But beyond Israelâs agency, there is another element we must consider. The Spanish commentator Rabeinu Bahya (1255â1340) notes, in his commentary on the words ×Ö¼Ö´Ö × ×Ö¹Ö£× ×¢Ö·×Ö¾×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¶Ö¤×Ö¶× ×Ö°×Ö·×Ö¼×Ö¹Ö ânot by bread aloneâ (8:3): that there are two aspects of the âLechemâ - one physical, and the other Mazal. What is this Mazal? Rabbenu Bahya quotes Bereshit Rabbah to help us understand his meaning, âthat there is not a blade of grass in this world which does not have its own mazzal - properties which enable it to accomplish the purpose of its Creator in calling it into existence. This mazzal tells the blade of grass: âgrow!â Mazal seems to be the aspect of all things that contains a Divine motivation, an essential element that transcends material concern.Â