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The Effects of a Commandment

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The Reward of Honoring Parents
TANAKH
Honoring one's parents is directly linked to the promise of longevity and stability in the land given by God. The Torah, in the book of Exodus, presents the commandment to honor one's parents as a key to a long and enduring presence in the land.
Honor your father and your mother, that you may long endure on the land that your God יהוה is assigning to you.
Exodus 20:12
The Paramount Duty to Save a Life
HALAKHAH
The obligation to save a life (pikuach nefesh) outweighs personal dignity, as demonstrated by God’s own willingness to set aside His honor for this purpose. Rabbi J. David Bleich, a contemporary halakhic authority, elaborates on this principle, emphasizing that the imperative to preserve life is paramount in Jewish ethics, overriding concerns about personal or divine honor.
Iggerot Mosheh argues that although preservation of personal dignity may be a consideration sufficient to negate the obligation to restore lost property, it cannot be invoked to excuse oneself from the obligation of rescuing life: God, in permitting violation of His commandments for purposes of pikuaḥ nefesh has waived His own honor; a fortiori, the dignity of a mortal cannot represent a value that might serve to abrogate the duty of rescue.
Contemporary Halakhic Problems, Vol VI, Chapter 6 Medical Questions 17
The Power of Charity
COMMENTARY
Tzedaka (charity) has the power to spare an individual from punishment by recognizing that all wealth stems from Hashem. Rabbi Chaim Jachter’s 21st-century commentary on Sefer Daniel explores the themes of divine justice and redemption, emphasizing the transformative power of charity.
Based on the Malbim, we explain that Tzedaka has the power to spare Nevuchadnetzar from punishment, since giving Tzedaka can be a form of recognizing that all wealth stems from Hashem.
Sefer Daniel; Opportunity in Exile, Perek 4, Nevuchadnetzar's Punishment and Redemption 10
The Ripple Effect of Commandments
MUSAR
An individual's dedication to commandments can profoundly impact the community and the world. The Chofetz Chaim’s work, Ma'amar Mezakeh HaRabim, uses the story of Elkana to illustrate how inspiring others to join in religious observance can lead to divine favor and significant outcomes.
And what of our question, “Is it in an individual’s ability to impact the entire world, without any substantial means, with only his own life’s credibility?” We are able to admire and see the plausibility of this matter, from that which our Sages of blessed memory tell us (Yalkut Shmuel Alef): “Elkana, his wife, children, sisters and all his relatives would go up with him [to Shiloh] for the Jewish Holidays and they would sleep in the streets of a city. It caused excitement in the country and they would ask them where they were going? And they would say, “To the house of G-d in Shiloh, that…
Ma'amar Mezakeh HaRabim 7:1
Elevating Ethics Through Commandments
REFERENCE
The Tanaim and Amoraim interpreted the commandments of the Torah to elevate the ethics of the Jewish people, focusing on justice, love of peace, and love of one’s neighbor. This text explores the differing views on the importance of Torah study and the commandments in the Messianic era.
When we consider the teachings of the Tanaim and Amoraim it becomes obvious, that they sought to establish a worthy continuation to the teachings of the prophets, who aimed to elevate the ethics of the Jews to the highest possible level. They therefore interpreted the commandments of the Torah in such a manner as to inculcate the people with feelings of justice, love of peace and love of one’s neighbor. This aim caused some of the scholars to believe that study of the Torah and the fulfillment of its commandments was most important in life even though one did not agree with the commandments…
The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume II; The Amoraim of Palestine and the Jerusalem Talmud, Introduction 3
The Ultimate Respect for Parents
TALMUD
The extraordinary lengths to which one should go to show respect and devotion to their parents, even to the point of significant personal sacrifice, are exemplified by the story of Dama ben Netinah, a Gentile who demonstrated profound respect and devotion for his father. The Jerusalem Talmud uses the story of Dama ben Netinah to illustrate the universal value of respecting and caring for one's parents, a key principle in Jewish tradition.
“Honoring father and mother.” Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: They asked Rebbi Eliezer, how far does honoring father and mother go? He said to them, you are asking me? Go and ask Dama ben Netinah. Dama ben Netinah was the head of the city council. Once his mother was slapping him in front of the entire council and a slipper fell from her hand, and he handed it back to her so that she should feel no inconvenience. Rebbi Ḥizqiah said: He was a Gentile from Ascalon and the head of the city council…
Jerusalem Talmud Peah 1:1:22
The Reciprocal Benefits of Charity
JEWISH THOUGHT
Giving charity is not just a favor to the recipient but a profound reciprocal act where the giver ultimately benefits more. The Maharal of Prague, a prominent 16th-century Jewish scholar, explores the spiritual and ethical dimensions of charity in his work Netivot Olam.
Do not think about giving charity to a poor person that you are doing him a favor — if a borrower is a slave to the lender, all the more so, and a fortiori, when he gives charity is the poor person considered like his slave once he takes it from him. As this thing is not [the case]. For they said in the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 34:8-9): It was taught in the name of Rabbi Joshua: More than what the homeowner does for the poor person, the poor person does for the homeowner. As Ruth said to Naomi: The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz (Ruth 2:19)…
Netivot Olam, Netiv Hatzdaka 5:1
Courage and Faith in Fragile Booths
TANAKH
Living in fragile booths during Sukkot teaches us courage and faith, fostering spiritual growth and resilience. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores the significance of dwelling in sukkot, temporary structures, as a reminder of the Israelites' journey through the desert and their reliance on God.
If we follow this line of thinking, we can infer a deep truth about faith itself. Faith is not certainty. Faith is the courage to live with uncertainty. Almost every phase of the exodus was fraught with difficulties, real or imagined. That is what makes the Torah so powerful. It does not pretend that life is any easier than it is. The road is not straight and the journey is long. Unexpected things happen. Crises suddenly appear. It becomes important to embed in a people’s memory the knowledge that we can handle the unknown. God is with us, giving us the courage we need.
I Believe; A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, Emor; Radical Uncertainty 13
Divine Rewards for Obedience
SECOND TEMPLE
Philo of Alexandria highlights that adherence to sacred ordinances brings divine rewards, including abundant material blessings and continuous beneficence. His text underscores the Jewish belief in the link between observing God's commandments and receiving prosperity, a theme reflected in the Torah.
[101] For there is a divine promise that on those who keep the sacred ordinances Heaven will shower timely rains, and the earth will bear abundance of every kind of food, the lowlands of sown grain, the highlands of tree fruits, and no season will be left without some measure of beneficence, but so continuous will be the succession of the gifts of God “that the reaping will overtake the vintage and the vintage the seed time.”
On Rewards and Punishments 17:4
The Heightened Joy of Sukkot
GUIDES
The festival of Sukkot is marked by an extraordinary commandment to rejoice, with special measures to enhance this joy. Adin Steinsaltz explores the unique aspects of Sukkot, including the use of musical instruments, lights, and ordinances to ensure the joy remains profound yet controlled.
One mitzva that is especially conspicuous during the festival of Sukkot is the mitzva of rejoicing. Although there is a mitzva to rejoice on all the Festivals, on the festival of Sukkot the mitzva of extreme rejoicing takes center stage. To enhance this mitzva, different innovations and services beyond the standard practice in the Temple were introduced: Musical instruments were played more than on other days, additional lights were added, and in general…
Introductions to the Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah, Introduction to Perek V 12
Abraham's Devotion and Divine Blessing
MIDRASH
Abraham's extraordinary dedication and physical sacrifice in fulfilling the commandment of circumcision earned him divine recognition and blessing. Aggadat Bereshit, a medieval midrashic text, recounts Abraham's immense effort and the divine response to his obedience.
"[2] Another interpretation: The LORD appeared to him [Abraham]. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: 'You shall make for Me an altar of earth' (Exodus 20:21). Rabbi Isaac Ne'eha said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said: If one slaughters and spills a little blood, or the blood of a non-sanctified animal, or the blood of an ox, I come and bless him, as it says, 'In every place where I record My name [I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee]' (Exodus 20:21). How much more so for Abraham, who had a river of blood flowing from his house, and he circumcised himself…
Aggadat Bereshit 19:2
The Dual Significance of the Sabbath
COMMENTARY
The Sabbath serves as both a commemoration of creation and a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt. Ramban, the 13th-century Spanish commentator, explores these dual aspects in his interpretation, linking the Sabbath to divine creation and liberation while incorporating mystical insights to enhance understanding.
THEREFORE THE ETERNAL THY G-D COMMANDED THEE TO KEEP THE SABBATH-DAY. The meaning thereof is that He commanded you to do so [give rest to the servant] on the Sabbath-day. So did Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra explain it. But it is not correct, for we say in the Kiddush [i.e., the proclamation of the sanctity] of the Sabbath, “For this day is the first of the hallowed gatherings recalling our going forth from Egypt” just as we say that it “recalls the work of Creation!” And the Rabbi [Moshe ben Maimon] stated in the Moreh Nebuchim that “the ‘first statement’ [i.e…
Ramban on Deuteronomy 5:15:1
Remembering Our Humble Beginnings
HALAKHAH
The mitzvah of dwelling in a sukkah during Sukkot reminds us of the humble beginnings of the Israelites and God's protection during their 40 years in the wilderness. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, in his contemporary presentation of Jewish law, Peninei Halakhah, explores the spiritual and practical aspects of this commandment, fostering gratitude and humility.
In the opinion of R. Akiva, the mitzva of sukka commemorates the booths that Israel built to shelter themselves from sun and rain, reminding us of our humble beginnings, when God took us out of Egypt and led us from slavery to freedom, and when we wandered in the wilderness for forty years, sheltering in temporary booths to protect us from the sun and rain, without houses or inherited estates. By commemorating this, we will thank God for bringing us to the good and spacious land, a land where we could build homes and plant trees…
Peninei Halakhah, Sukkot 1:4:3
Blessings and Consequences
LITURGY
Adhering to God's commandments can bring tangible blessings, while turning away can lead to severe consequences. The Shema, a central prayer in Jewish liturgy, emphasizes the importance of loving and obeying God, and is recited nightly as a declaration of faith and commitment.
And it shall be that if you hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you today, to love the L·rd your G·d & to serve Him with all your heart & all your soul, then I will send rain for your land in its proper time, the autumn rain & the spring rain, that you may gather in your grain, your wine & your oil. And I will give grass in your field for your cattle & you shall eat & be satisfied. Take heed to yourselves lest your heart be deceived, & you turn aside & serve other gods & bow to them…
Siddur Edot HaMizrach, Bedtime Shema 12
New Year Greeting Card from The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, UC Berkeley.
New Year Greeting Card from The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, UC Berkeley.

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