{"id":21390,"date":"2025-05-23T13:52:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T12:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/?p=21390"},"modified":"2025-08-23T20:28:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T19:28:59","slug":"the-true-reward-of-mitzvot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/ko\/the-true-reward-of-mitzvot\/","title":{"rendered":"THE TRUE REWARD OF MITZVOT"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u05d1\u05e1”\u05d3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT<\/a> <\/strong>BECHUKOTAI 5785
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<\/strong>The True Reward of Mitzvot: Beyond Material Blessings to Spiritual Growth Leviticus 26:3-4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 <\/strong>If ye walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them;<\/td>\u05d2 <\/strong>\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05b9\u05bc\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9, \u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05d5\u05bc; \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05ba\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b4\u05c2\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd.<\/td><\/tr>
4 <\/strong>then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield her produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.<\/td>\u05d3 <\/strong>\u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b4\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05e5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c2\u05d3\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05df \u05e4\u05b4\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, Leviticus 26 seems straightforward: “If you follow My commandments, I will bless you with rain, peace, and abundance.” A kind of spiritual contract\u2014do good, and G-d will do good in return. But anyone with some life experience knows it\u2019s not that simple. Even people who sincerely try to live a good life experience hardship. And according to the Talmud (Kiddushin 39b), the true reward for mitzvot is only given in the World to Come. So how should we understand these verses?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Rashi and Ibn Ezra Say<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rashi, usually known for giving the most direct and rational explanations, makes a surprising point here: the verse isn\u2019t primarily about keeping commandments\u2014it\u2019s about immersing yourself in Torah study. Ibn Ezra agrees, emphasizing that the verse calls for learning, teaching, and doing the Torah. You can study all you want, but if you don\u2019t act on what you learn, the study is of no value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alshich: This World Is Not Reward, but Preparation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Alshich (16th century, Safed) offers a deeper reading of the apparent contradiction: Does G-d give material reward for mitzvah observance, as this verse suggests, or is all reward deferred to the next world, as the Talmud teaches?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He aligns with the Talmudic view that the ultimate reward for a mitzvah is in the World to Come. So what are these blessings\u2014rain, peace, abundance\u2014in this chapter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Alshich, these blessings are not rewards but tools\u2014divine favors granted to someone who walks in G-d’s ways, so that they may continue their spiritual journey without distraction. Think of an employer who says, \u201cYou\u2019re doing your job well, so I\u2019ll make sure you have a great workspace and a new laptop.\u201d It\u2019s not part of the salary\u2014it\u2019s there to help you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So too, G-d grants rain, food, and peace not as payment, but so that we don\u2019t need to struggle just to survive, and can instead focus our energy on Torah study, prayer, acts of kindness, and fulfilling mitzvot. These blessings are not the goal, but the platform to build a life of spiritual growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does It Begin with Rain?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rashi explains that \u201crains in their season\u201d means rain at times that cause the least inconvenience\u2014at night, or just before Shabbat. This shows G-d\u2019s intimate concern with human well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramban goes further, describing rain as the first and greatest blessing, since it affects the entire natural order. It purifies the air, nourishes the earth, brings health, fertility, and balance to the world. A society where rain falls at the right time is one in physical and spiritual harmony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deeper Meaning of Rain and Fruit Trees According to the Alshich<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Alshich also offers a more esoteric understanding of these blessings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n