And you shall go to the place which the L-rd your G-d will choose to place His name there (Deut. 26:2)
A Jew does not travel the face of the earth of his own volition; Divine Providence leads him from place to place for the sole purpose of “placing His name there” — sanctifying the name of G-d in that particular place. (Hayom Yom)
Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field (Deut. 28:3)
A city has certain advantages over rural life, among them the pleasure of others’ company and the availability of places of Torah and learning. Rural life also has its advantages, such as a more relaxed life-style, fresher air, and warmer relationships between neighbors. G-d’s blessing is that we should be equally blessed in both locales. (Chatam Sofer)
Because you did not serve the L-rd your G-d with joy and gladness of heart...therefore will you serve your enemies (Deut. 28:47-48)
Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidut, would cite this verse to underscore the importance of serving G-d in a happy and joyful manner. Doing so brings joy to G-d Himself, as it were, and has the power to nullify all decrees.
In the morning you will say, “Would that it were evening!” And in the evening you will say, “Would that it were morning!” (Deut. 28:67)
The early Chasidim interpreted this “curse” as impetus along the path of self-improvement: When you wake up in the morning and consider the quality of your G-dly service, you will pine for the superior level of the night before. In the evening, when assessing the day’s spiritual progress, you will find that you have descended even further, and hope to return to that morning’s level...
