בס "ד

The commandment, “You shall walk in His ways” (Deuteronomy 28:9), is a special commandment found in the Torah. It calls upon a person to emulate their Creator, as explained by Maimonides: “He commanded us to imitate Him, may He be exalted, to the best of our ability.”

How can a person emulate G-d? The way is to adopt the character traits of the Holy One, blessed be He: “Just as the Holy One, blessed be He, is called gracious—so too you shall be gracious; just as the Holy One, blessed be He, is called merciful—so too you shall be merciful.” These are the traits of performing acts of kindness, mercy, charity, and helping the poor and needy.

Although “You shall walk in His ways” is not one of the seven explicitly obligatory Noahide commandments, it is a meaningful obligation for Noahides. Acts such as kindness, visiting the sick, and comforting mourners gain a deeper meaning through this command. These acts become more than just good deeds; they become a path of self-nullification, where we set aside our ego to align with the Creator’s will and thus, walk in His way.

The commandment “You shall walk in His ways” teaches that acts of kindness are not just a human moral act but a way to emulate the Creator. By walking in His ways, a person learns to perform acts of kindness. In doing so, they fulfill the ultimate purpose of their creation: to be a partner in perfecting the world and magnifying the honor of G-d.

G-d, whose greatness and infiniteness cannot be grasped by a human being, gives every person the privilege to emulate Him and walk in His way. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, a time when all creatures are judged for their deeds, the deep meaning of our actions becomes clear. By adding more acts of goodness and kindness to our lives, we can help ensure a good verdict and a blessed new year.

Par le rabbin Moshe Bernstein

Sources :

Maimonides, Sefer Ha Mitzvot, Mitzvah 8.

Deuteronomy 28:9.

Likutei Sichos, Vol. 34, page 153.



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