REWARD is mentioned by 7 Mtzvth:#3 of 4 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Jan 16, 2001 # # Rashis 521-522 Of 7800 (6.6%) # # # # # # 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 # # # ########################################################### - GRAND SUMMARY - 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.*1 TODAYS UNIT =========== In todays unit we bring 2 examples of communal commandments We are told we get reward for >HAVING A GOOD JUDICIAL SYSTEM (Ex16-20b)< and we are told that the >KING GETS REWARD FOR LEARNING TORAH(Dt17-20b)< Again,the implication is that even in commandments that improve the community atmosphere (and hence I do them to have a nice society), nevertheless I get >REWARD< in the next world, how much more so do I get reward for doing commandments simply for their own sake. Todays unit also completes this module. Hence we have the GRAND SUMMARY. The 2 new verses (not previously covered) are on the bottom of the LIST. 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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* - GRAND SUMMARY - {LIST} {The 7 commandments where it says "Do this commandment IN ORDER to live long and be well"} LANGUAGE What is special COMMANDMENT VERSE OF REWARD about this Mtzvah --------------------- -------- --------- ------------------- Learn the Torah Dt11-21a MANY DAYS It is only mental*1 Leave forgotten sheaf Dt24-19d BLESS No intention to do*2 Dont eat blood Dt12-25b GOOD Blood is loathesome Let mother bird go Dt22-07a GOOD-LONG Easy to perform*2 Honor parents Ex20-12a LONG DAYS Expect reward anyway Have good justice Ex16-20b LIVE Communal*3 King learns Torah Dt17-20b LONG REIGN Communal*3 -----------------------------FOOTNOTES-------------------------- NOTES ----- *1 We apply this Rabbi-Ishmael-Generalization logic to all 7 Rashis as follows: If you do ANY commandment you get reward since this is true EVEN for commandments -that are only mental (like learning) -that are not intended (like leaving forgotten items) -that would be difficult to violate (eg eating blood) -that are easy to perform (like letter mother bird go) -that you do for altruistic reasons (like honoring your parents since you expect them to reciprocate) *2 The actual Rashis are as follows Dt24-19d You never intended to forget sheaves and you are blessed. How much more so if you intend to do a commandment Dt12-25b If not eating Blood which is loathesome gives reward how much more so doing other commandments Dt22-07a If a simple act like letting a mother bird go gives reward how much more so if you do a strenuous act Ex16-20b It is sufficient to have a good judicial system in order to get life and inheritance In the other 3 Rashis, Rashi says "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 have generalized them by asserting that >EVEN IF< you observe these commandments you get >REWARD< and how much more so if you observe any of the the other commandments. For example 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. As for Rashis statement that "If you DO The commandments you get rewarded; if you DO NOT do the commandments you do NOT get rewarded"---This is part of the Rabbi Ishmael rule of Generalization. For the phrase IN ORDER THAT YOU LIVE LONG AND IT BE WELL WITH YOU only occurs as a reward FOR COMMANDMENTS. Hence we infer that if you do not do the commandments you will not get rewarded (since the generalization would not extend to non-commandments!) *3 The other 5 Rashis deal with commandments that EACH individual has to do. These 2 Rashis deal with COMMUNAL commandments like appointing Judges or the obligations of Kings to learn and be humble. Again the emphasis is that the Torah spanned the whole spectrum of commandments. #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*