REWARD is mentioned by 7 Mtzvth:#2 of 4 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Jan 15, 2001 # # Rashis 521-522 Of 7800 (6.7%) # # # # # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ # # # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # # # # # VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm # # # # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # # # ########################################################### OVERVIEW: ======== RULE: ==== The Torah, in 7 commandments, explicitly states that we should do commandments >IN ORDER THAT IT BE GOOD WITH YOU AND YOU WILL GET GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE<. These 7 commandments span the spectrum of all commandments Hence we infer that doing ANY commandment leads to getting GOOD and HAVING GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE. This conclusion is based on the Rabbi Ishmael rule of Generalization from multiple verses. The logic is that eg if God tells you you get reward for something that required no effort or for something that you would do anyway then how much more so will you get reward if you do harder commandments. TODAYS UNIT =========== In todays unit we bring 2 examples of commandment we get reward for. We cite --the Biblical verse --the reward obtained --why this commandment is easy to do --How the GENERALIZATION to all commandment works REFERENCE: ========= This module comes from the following digests in the Rashi-is-Simple series http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h7n11.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt17-20b.htm #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* EXAMPLE 4: Dt22-07 ========== The Torah says to >LET THE MOTHER BIRD GO WHEN TAKING THE YOUNG< and promises a reward of >IF WILL BE GOOD WITH YOU & YOU WILL LIVE LONG< Hence we can generalize as follows. If when doing a no-action commandment like letting the mother go (a commandment of abstention), I get long and good life, how much more so what I physically do commandments which require effort.*1 EXAMPLE 5: Ex20-12a ========== The Torah says >HONOR YOUR PARENTS< and promises >LONG LIFE< Before generalizing this, notice that when you respect your parents you expect reciprocity >FROM THEM<(not necessarily immediate). Your parents mention you to their circle of friends, help you get jobs, introduce you to their friends social circles etc. Hence we can generalize as follows. If when doing a commandment, like honoring ones parents, where I expect reciprocity, I nevertheless get long and good life FROM GOD, how much more so when I perform commandments simply for the sake of heaven because God ordered it.*2 ----------------------FOOTNOTES---------------------------- *1 The actual Rashi is as follows: Dt22-07a If a simple act like letting a mother bird go gives reward how much more so if you do a strenuous act *2 In most other Rashis, Rashi says explicitly >If you do the commandment you get long life while if you don't do the commandment you get short life--because you may infer converses from implications in Biblical style< We have generalized Rashis approach which emphasizes that EVEN in these commandments you get reward: eg EVEN if you abstain from eating blood you get long life We apply this approach of >EVEN IF< to >ALL< commandments where you get reward even if Rashi did not explicitly say so. In particular we interpret HONORING ONES FATHER & GET REWARD as EVEN IF YOU HONOR YOUR PARENTS (which normally you do for altruistic reasons since they help you get started in life) nevertheless you will still get rewarded by God. #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*