Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in the eyes of Hashem your G-d.
The order of the command is seemingly backward. A Yid is first commanded to observe the commands before he has even heard them!? The Torah should write שמע ושמרת – hear and observe.
The Ohr Hachaim asks some more questions. First, what is the Torah referring to with the words את כל? Why didn’t the Torah write שמור ושמעתי הדברים האלה? What is the Torah adding to the simple meaning? The words את כל usually denote an addition to the possuk.
Second, why does the Torah choose this possuk to promise benefits to the children?
Third, the end of the possuk is difficult to understand. The beginning of the possuk exhorts Yidden to observe Mitzvos in order to receive a reward. The Torah proceeds to tell us that the reward we receive is for that we do ‘good and right’ in Hashem’s eyes. Why is the Torah repeating itself? Presumably, the Torah is ‘good and right’; why does the Torah need to repeat itself?
The Ohr Hachaim explains that the possuk refers to two parts of Torah, that need to be observed and studied. These are: 1 – the Torah and Mitzvos that Hashem had already given to Moshe and Klal Yisroel. They were already familiar with this part of Torah during their sojourn in the desert. 2 – the parts that the Chachamim of the generations would add as ‘fences’ around the Torah. In order to prevent a person from sinning, the Chachamim instituted various Halachos that would keep a person far from any aveira.
The two commandments in this possuk refer to these two separate things. The word שמר – observe – is referring to those Mitzvos in which they were already commanded. They should be sure to keep all of these Mitzvos. In addition, they were being commanded ושמעת – and you should listen. They were being told that they should listen to all new Mitzvos that the Chachamim would institute.
The Torah hints to us why we need to accept the words of the Chachamim. If we do not, we will end up with an abridged version of the Torah. We will not keep את כל הדברים – all of Hashem’s words. Our Avodas Hashem will not be complete unless we keep far away from all aveiros by accepting on ourselves all of the exhortations and decrees of the Chachamim that are geared to keeping a person far away from those aveiros.
When we are careful with these decrees of the Chachamim, it does not merely enhance our own Avodas Hashem. A person could be sure of himself that he will not transgress an aveira, even if he is not careful with the decrees of the Chachamim. But when his children see how careful he is with the aveiros, that he even makes sure not to come anywhere close to these aveiros, they will tighten their connection to Avodas Hashem, and they too will continue to keep Mitzvos.
This is the explanation of the second half of the possuk - למען ייטב לך ולבניך – in order that it will be good for you and your children. When a person is careful with all of these extra rules that Chazal have placed on us, his children will continue in his ways, and he will produce generations of servants of Hashem.
The possuk then continues כי תעשה הטוב – so that you will do what is good, etc. The Torah continues with an explanation of the purpose of Rabbinic decrees and ordinances. The possuk is teaching us that these were designed only to enable you to do what is good and correct in the eyes of Hashem. Accordingly, this part of the possuk is also part of the reason why the Torah commands us שמר ושמעת. The good that Hashem has in mind for us will be the result of our relating with equal seriousness to rabbinic decrees as we relate to Torah commandments.
Another pshat offered by the Ohr Hachaim in the words שמר ושמעת – observe and listen, is talking to a person who is in the habit of keeping a certain Mitzvah, and believes himself to be fully aware of what it entails. This person may think that he has no need to learn the Sugyos and delve into this Mitzvah.
Moshe Rabbeinu is telling us that learning Torah of all Mitzvos is important, and even after he has correctly fulfilled the שמר – the observance of the Mitzvah, he should still ושמעת – learn the Sugyos and delve into them.
The Ohr Hachaim then offers another explanation, both into the double language of שמר ושמעת, its order, and the words את כל הדברים.
A person is enjoined to keep all of the Mitzvos. However, this is impossible as not everybody can fulfill each Mitzvah, and they are not viable at the same time.
For this reason, the Torah says שמור – observe. A person must observe all negative Mitzvos. A person can guard himself from all negative Mitzvos, because they do not depend on time or place. He should also keep ושמעת, which refers to positive Mitzvos. The way to do all positive Mitzvos is through ונשלמה פרים שפתינו – our lips should fulfill that which we should be doing through oxen. We should be able to fulfill every Mitzvah through learning the Sugyos of the Mitzvos that we need to keep and cannot, due to a lack of opportunity.
Through observing these two things, we will reach את כל הדברים – all of the words of the Torah. By making sure either to keep, or learn the Halachos, we will fulfill all of Hashem’s Torah.
Another hint that the Ohr Hachaim uncovers in this possuk is the rule that Chazal give ליגמר איניש והדר ליסבר – a person should study the texts, and afterwards seek to understand them properly.
שמר means that a person should guard in his mind the knowledge of the Torah. He should know what the Torah says, and afterward, he should שמעת – hear. This denotes a deeper understanding of the Torah.
