Deuteronomy 7:12 - Reward for keeping mitzvot?

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Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן אֵת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים הָאֵלֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם וְשָׁמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ אֶת־הַבְּרִית וְאֶת־הַחֶסֶד אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ׃

English Translation

Wherefore it shall come to pass, if you hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the troth which he swore to thy fathers:

Transliteration

Vehaya ekev tishme'un et hamishpatim ha'eleh ushmartem va'asitem otam veshamar Adonai Elohecha lecha et-habrit ve'et-hachesed asher nishba la'avotecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ עֵ֣קֶב תִּשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֤ת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְשָׁמַר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ לְךָ֗ אֶֽת־הַבְּרִית֙ וְאֶת־הַחֶ֔סֶד אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse

The verse (Devarim 7:12) begins with the phrase "וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן" ("And it shall come to pass, because you hearken..."), emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship between observing the mitzvot and Hashem's fulfillment of His covenant. The term "עֵקֶב" (ekev) is significant—Rashi explains that it refers to the "lesser" or seemingly minor mitzvot that people tend to overlook, suggesting that even these are crucial for maintaining the covenant.

The Dual Obligation: Hearing and Doing

The verse lists three actions: "תִּשְׁמְעוּן" (hearken), "וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם" (keep), and "וַעֲשִׂיתֶם" (do). Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that these correspond to different levels of commitment:

Hearken (תִּשְׁמְעוּן): Internalizing the mitzvot with understanding and intent.
Keep (וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם): Guarding the mitzvot to prevent transgression.
Do (וַעֲשִׂיתֶם): Actively performing the mitzvot in practice.

Hashem's Reciprocal Commitment

The verse concludes with Hashem's promise to uphold "הַבְּרִית וְאֶת־הַחֶסֶד" (the covenant and the kindness). The Sforno notes that "chesed" here refers to the unconditional love Hashem swore to the Avot (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov), which transcends strict justice. The Talmud (Berachot 32b) teaches that even when Bnei Yisrael falter, Hashem's covenant remains steadfast due to this ancestral merit.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash Tanchuma (Eikev 3) connects this verse to the concept of שכר מצוה מצוה—the reward for a mitzvah is the opportunity to perform another mitzvah. By observing the mitzvot, we merit continued closeness to Hashem and the perpetuation of His covenant.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 48b

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of observing commandments and the rewards for doing so, particularly in the context of the covenant between God and the Jewish people.

📖 Avodah Zarah 5a

The verse is cited in a discussion about the consequences of heeding or neglecting the commandments, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the covenant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 7:12 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 7:12 teaches that if the Jewish people listen to, observe, and fulfill G-d's commandments (mishpatim), then G-d will uphold His covenant (brit) and kindness (chesed) that He promised to our forefathers. Rashi explains that 'ekev tishme'un' (because you will listen) refers to the 'light' mitzvot that people might 'trample with their heels' (ekev), emphasizing that all commandments - big and small - must be observed.

Q: Why is keeping the commandments important according to this verse?
A: This verse shows the reciprocal relationship between the Jewish people and G-d. By keeping the commandments, we activate G-d's promise to maintain His covenant with us. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 9:1) explains that observing mitzvot brings divine blessing, while neglecting them can lead to the opposite. The covenant mentioned refers to the eternal bond G-d made with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.

Q: What does 'covenant and kindness' refer to in this verse?
A: The 'covenant' (brit) refers to G-d's eternal promise to make the Jewish people His chosen nation and give us the Land of Israel. The 'kindness' (chesed) refers to G-d's gracious promises that go beyond strict justice. The Talmud (Berachot 20a) explains that even when we might not be fully deserving, G-d relates to us with this special kindness because of our ancestors' merit and our covenant relationship.

Q: How does this verse apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds us that Torah observance maintains our special relationship with G-d. Even today, when we keep mitzvot - whether between man and G-d or between people - we uphold our side of the covenant. The Sforno notes that this promise applies in all generations, meaning our actions today continue to activate G-d's covenantal blessings for the Jewish people.

Q: What are the 'mishpatim' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'mishpatim' (judgments) refer to the rational commandments that human intellect would dictate even if not commanded (like prohibitions against stealing or murder), as opposed to 'chukim' (statutes) which are divine decrees beyond human understanding. Rashi (on Deuteronomy 6:20) explains that properly observing all types of commandments - both mishpatim and chukim - is what brings the blessings mentioned in this verse.