Chapter IV
פרק ד', משנה ב': בן עזאי אומר: הוי רץ למצווה קלה כחמורה, ובורח מן העבירה. שמצווה גוררת מצווה, ועבירה גוררת עבירה. ששכר מצווה - מצווה. ושכר עבירה - עבירה.
Chapter 4, Mishnah 2: Ben Azzai would say, "One must run to pursue (even) a minor Mitzvah, and run away from sin. For a Mitzvah brings another Mitzvah, and sin brings another sin. For the reward of a Mitzvah is a Mitzvah, and the reward of sin is sin."
The Simple Explanation
We can explain our Mishnah's statement that "the reward of a Mitzvah is a Mitzvah" in the following two ways.
- When a person fulfills one Mitzvah, Divine providence assures that he will have the opportunity to perform others. Hashem does this to increase the reward and pleasure he receives from the fulfillment of Mitzvos.
- Whatever benefits a person receives from his Mitzvos and the pleasure he derives from them are considered Mitzvos in their own right.
Difficulties in Understanding the Mishnah
The actual payment, or reward, must be proportionate to the services rendered. That being the case, how is it ever possible to reward a Jew for Mitzvah observance? Mitzvos accomplish something genuinely incredible; Hashem Himself "enjoys" them, so to speak! This is in keeping with Rashi's statement in the Torah that Hashem says (so to speak) that "This sacrifice gives Me pleasure, for I spoke, and My will was fulfilled!" What reward can be enough for the observance of even one Mitzvah?
The Explanation
We can understand the answer to this question from our Mishnah. The meaning of the Hebrew word Mitzvah is a commandment. However, it is also related to the Aramaic word "Tzavso," meaning attachment or connection. As a result of performing a Mitzvah, we become connected with the Almighty, Who commanded the fulfillment of the Mitzvah. This is the one reward, or consequence, of performing a Mitzvah which is proportionate to the "services rendered" by a Jew.
This being the case, why do we find the promise of physical rewards for performing Mitzvos throughout the Torah? The Rambam answers this question: "... What is the meaning of the statements made throughout the entire Torah, that by observing the Torah you will acquire such and such? The Torah promises us that if we fulfill it with joy and good spirit and meditate on its wisdom at all times, Hashem will remove all the obstacles which prevent us from fulfilling it, such as sickness, war, famine, and the like ..."
May we merit the ultimate reward of the complete and ultimate redemption now!
Adapted from the Sichah of Shabbos Parshas Eikev, 18 Menachem Av, 5749
I hope you gained as much by reading this as I did by translating and adapting it.
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