Reward and Punishment are also largely dependent on what one thinks. We will offer a couple of examples:
A spy hid his maps and papers in the pocket of a yeshiva bachur’s suit from Yeshivas Radin. The bachur was caught with the documents and was charged with espionage. The Chofetz Chaim came to court to testify to his innocence. He said, "I can swear he didn't know about these papers. Someone placed the papers in his pocket."
The defense attorney explained to the judge the greatness of the Chofetz Chaim so he would appreciate the weight of his testimony. The lawyer told the judge the following story:
Once, while traveling, someone grabbed the Chofetz Chaim's suitcase and ran off with it. The Chofetz Chaim shouted after him, "I forgive you."
The judge asked the attorney, "Do you believe that story?"
The attorney replied, "Even if the story isn't true, such stories aren't told about me and you." He was implying that the Chofetz Chaim was a very righteous and trustworthy, and his testimony should be believed.
People asked the Chofetz Chaim, "We understand that you forgave the thief. You didn't want him to be punished in Olam HaBa. But why did you have to tell him that you are mochel him? You could have forgiven him in your heart!"
The Chofetz Chaim replied, "Chazal say, if a person thinks he performed an aveirah, he will be punished for his bad intentions, even if he actually didn't perform the aveirah. I also wanted him to be freed from the punishment of bad intentions, so I let him know that I forgive him, and he isn't committing an aveirah by holding on to the suitcase."
The Gemara (Kiddushin 39:) says that reward is given for keeping the lo saasehs, the prohibitions of the Torah, only when one has the opportunity to perform an aveirah, and he refrains. For example, he saw an expensive item unattended, and no one was watching. He had the opportunity to steal, and he refrained, that is when he will be rewarded for keeping the lo saaseh of תגנוב לא. But if he didn't have the opportunity to take it, he isn’t rewarded for not stealing. He didn't have a test.
And for mitzvos asei, as well, he will only be rewarded for the mitzvos that he performs or tries to perform.
The Chofetz Chaim teaches that there is a way to be rewarded for all the mitzvos and all the lo saasehs with thought, alone. It states (12:28) משה את 'ה צוה כאשר ישראל בני ויעשו וילכו עשו כן ואהרן, "And they went and did; as Hashem commanded Moshe and Aharon, so they did." This pasuk refers to making the korban Pesach. Rashi asks, "Did they already do [the korban pesach]? ... It was only Rosh Chodesh [and the korban pesach wasn't brought until two weeks later]! But since they accepted upon themselves [to make the korban pesach], the pasuk credits them for it as if they had done it."
So, by accepting the yoke of Torah, one receives reward and it is considered as if he kept the entire Torah, with all the lo saasehs and all the aseis. If he accepts the yoke of Torah in his thoughts, it is already considered as if he kept the entire Torah! He will be rewarded for desiring and thinking about keeping the entire Torah, even before he actually keeps it.
