EKEV

DEUTERONOMY VII:12-XI:25

In recognition of the fulfillment of the Mitsvot, God promises to consummate the covenant He established with the Hebrew people on Mount Sinai and to continue working with Chesed (mercy).

In the “More Nevuchim“, Rambam notes that he had already explained in his commentary on Avot that Chesed means excess, but generally refers to excess in goodness. Goodness has two aspects according to Rambam: the first is the practice of goodness with the individual who has no right to claim such action; the second refers to acting with goodness beyond what the individual deserves.

Generally, the Neviyim use the term Chesed in the first sense: to act with goodness with those who have no merit for it. Therefore, when the sacred text affirms: “The world is built on Chesed“, or perhaps, “The process of building the world is accomplished through Chesed“, it effectively refers to the unlimited generosity of the Creator. Therefore, perhaps, the Chasid, the individual who according to Rambam integrates in his person both the fulfillment of the Mitsvot and the study of philosophy and metaphysics, behaves in the same way: he offers benefits to the neighbor with whom he has no commitment.

The Chasid observes the Mitsvot without anticipating any reward, and is willing to benefit his fellow human beings without expecting similar behavior in return. Our chapters go on to affirm, Va’ahevcha, “God will love you”. While the Shema Yisrael paragraph of Parshat Vaetchanan exhorts Veahavta et HaShem, “and you shall love God,” our text emphasizes that God is also the source of love for man. As a result of the fulfillment of the Mitsvot, Uverachecha, “God will bless you,” will materialize. With what? The next few verses explain that the blessing will consist of offspring. Perhaps announcing the remedy for one of the greatest concerns of the present generation, which is continuity, God promises that through the observance of the Mitsvot new generations will be generated, offspring will be secured and, consequently, continuity will be established.

Shelach’s textin the Book of Bemidbar, which refers to the obligation to place Tsitsit in the corners of the garments and which is part of the daily recited Shema Yisrael, offers – according to the Talmud – a recipe book for the fulfillment of the Mitsvot, the subject of our chapters. Ure’item oto uzerchartem, “Seeing (the Tsitsit) leads to remembering, and remembering leads to observing”. And observing is the way for Vihyitem Kedoshim, “attaining holiness.”

Our text contains the second chapter of Shema Yisrael: “Vehaya im Shamo’a,” which promises reward for observance and punishment for disobedience. (Perhaps one of the reasons why the Chachamim ordered the recitation of Shema Yisrael twice daily, is also due to the fact that in these paragraphs is included the obligation to teach the children the use of  the Tefilin on the  arm and head, and the placement of the Mezuza on the lintel of the doors).

According to Rambam, the 3 paragraphs that make up Shema Yisrael suggest 3 stages in the process of accepting the sovereignty of the Creator. In the first paragraph we are commanded to love God, as an expression of Chesed, for no ulterior reason. The second paragraph announces reward and punishment, and the Talmud teaches that Mitoch shelo lishma, ba lishma, with continuous action, though self-interested, action finally occurs selfless and as an altruistic action. Because according to Rambam‘s view of Chasid, for this individual who attains a high spiritual level, the fulfillment of the Mitsvot obeys neither to punishment nor reward, but gratuitous and splendid love for God.

The third chapter of the Shema that refers to the Tsitsit, is an action comparable to the hole that is made to the slave who wishes to remain forever in slavery. In the present case, wearing a garment with the Tsitsit is an outward manifestation, a reminder of the obligation to always remain ready to serve God.

MITZVA: ORDINANCE OF THE TORA IN THIS PARSHA

CONTAINS 6 POSITIVE MITSVOT AND 2 PROHIBITIONS

• Deuteronomy 7:25 Do not profit from the ornaments of an idol.
• Deuteronomy 7:26 Not to possess an object belonging to idol worship or to derive any benefit from them.
• Deuteronomy 8:10 Bless God after eating bread.
• Deuteronomy 10:19 Love those who convert to Judaism.
• Deuteronomy 10:20 Fear God.
• Deuteronomy 10:20 Pray to God.
• Deuteronomy 10:20 Associate with and adhere to Torah scholars.
• Deuteronomy 10:20 Swear by the Name of God when making a vow.