Parsha summary
In the third portion of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses continues his speech, addressing themes central to the Jewish faith. If the people of Israel keep the commandments of the Torah, God will uphold the covenant and bless them with offspring, crops, flocks and herds, health, and dominion over their enemies. Moses describes the conquest of the land as a gradual process and encourages the people not to fear. Moses warns against haughtiness of heart as a sin that can lead to destruction and exile. The people hear about their past sins: the sin of the calf and the breaking of the tablets of the covenant, the sin of the spies and the forty years of wandering in the desert. Despite the sins, God continues to choose the people of Israel and commands
He must adhere to the Torah. „And it shall be, if you earnestly obey,” the second part of the Shema, is taken from the portion of Eikev. Finally, the people of Israel receive the promise of long life and inheritance of the land in peace and security.

Three portions were joined together to create „Shema Yisrael”: the "Shema” portion from the book of Deuteronomy, the "Vehaya Im Shamoa” portion, which is in this week's Torah portion, and the Tzitzit portion from the book of Numbers. The first two portions are written on every mezuzah and are also included in tefillin. Yet, I am confused every time I hear or read them.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5) from the Parashat Va'etchanan command is about absolute love and devotion, without reason and without purpose. There is no attempt here to give a reward for the commandment or to explain it. In contrast, in this week's Torah portion it is written: "And it shall be, if you will diligently listen to My commandments” (Deuteronomy 11:13), a logical and clear explanation is given for the reward of the commandments, and also a threat of what will happen if we do not fulfill them.

Isaiah Leibowitz interprets, according to Maimonides, unconditional love of God as serving God for His sake alone, and fear of God out of a desire to receive a reward or out of fear of punishment as serving God not for His sake. The large gap between these two approaches, which appear within the Shema and in close proximity in Moses' words, cannot be a coincidence or a mistake.

There may be room for both approaches: there are Jews who will observe commandments for reward, and there are those who will serve God out of pure love. Alternatively, it is possible that the approaches diverge over time: sometimes a person sees the personal request for reward as a childish stage of faith and can serve God with all their might, but sometimes they cry out to heaven for personal and specific help, and even bargain and make vows in exchange for reward.

Perhaps work that is not for its own sake is everyday belief, and we strive to reach a higher level of unconditional belief. Whether between one person and another, or between different times or levels of belief, the two approaches coexist, contradict each other, and perhaps even complement each other.

"and now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”.
And here are the three principles of our Jewish lives: reverence, love, and work.

Shabbat Shalom.