PARSHA PEARLS

"V'Hoyoh im shamoa tismeu ell mitzvosai "

"And it will be if listen(ing) you shall listen to my commandments"

This verse marks the beginning of the Torah's discussion of the concept of accepting upon oneself to fulfill all of HaShem's mitzvos (commandments). In the preceding weekly portion, the concept of accepting the Yoke of the Heavenly Kingship is discussed. It would seem at first that a commitment to fulfill all of the mitzvos is included in the acceptance of HaShem's rulership. After all, if one accepts HaShem's dominion over oneself, it automatically follows that one is obligated to fulfill HaShem's laws - the mitzvos. Why, then, is the idea of accepting the mitzvos discussed as a separate concept?

There is an important aspect to the concept of accepting the mitzvos that is not included in the idea of accepting HaShem's dominion. This aspect is the importance of fulfilling the mitzvos out of love for HaShem, and not only because HaShem is the Ruler of the Universe. This significant aspect of fulfilling the mitzvos out of love for Hashem is not necessarily included in an acceptance of HaShem's dominion. Consequently, it is appropriate to accept upon oneself the yoke of miktzvos out of love for HaShem, independently of one's acceptance of the dominion of HaShem.

Darash Moshe