Ekev 

עקב

In this Torah portion, we are commanded to recite a blessing after eating food, provided that we are satiated from it. The Jewish people are exacting and stringent and recite the blessing even if they are not satiated. Just as they go beyond the letter of the law, God, too, tilts the scales of justice in their favor. 

The ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, in Your Torah it is written: “The great, the valorous, and the awesome God, who will not show favor [yisa panim], and will not take a bribe” (Deuteronomy 10:17); yet You, nevertheless, show favor to Israel, as it is written: “The Lord shall lift His countenance [yisa…panav] to you” (Numbers 6:26). God replied to them: How can I not show favor to Israel? As, I wrote for them in the Torah: “You will eat and be satisfied, and you shall bless the Lord your God” (8:10) [meaning that there is no obligation to bless the Lord until one is satiated]; yet they are exacting with themselves and recite the blessing even if they have eaten as little as an olive-bulk or an egg-bulk. <source>(Berakhot 20b) </source>

In this Torah portion, we are commanded to recite a blessing after eating food, provided that we are satiated from it. The Jewish people are exacting and stringent and recite the blessing even if they are not satiated. Just as they go beyond the letter of the law, God, too, tilts the scales of justi