REWARD is mentioned by 7 Mtzvth:#4 of 4
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Jan 16, 2001 #
# Rashis 521-522 Of 7800 (6.6%) #
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- 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
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*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.
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