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Should we observe the Tora and its commandments, expecting a material reward?
This week’s Parasha seems to respond affirmatively to this question. The second part of the Shema Israel begins by promising prosperity as a reward for the fulfillment of the Divine commandments: והיה אם שמוע תשמעו If you obey My commandments … I will grant you rain on your lands…”.
Apparently, the Tora proposes a system of rewards (a millage program!), for our good behavior. And the precepts are the means to achieve a Jewish nirvana: abundance, prosperity and good health for all!
But for the Rabbis this is a superficial and partial vision of the biblical ideal, although deliberate.
Let’s see.
In Hilkhot Talmud Tora Maimonides tells us that it is very difficult to explain to a child the true importance of studying Tora. A 7 or 8-year-old boy or girl would be unable to understand the “abstract” benefits of studying and keeping the commandments. Namely, appreciate what it means to be closer to God and knowing Him better by learning and obeying His will, or living a life based on His principles, etc. For a child, all these altruistic ideas will probably be meaningless. Therefore, we must offer the child some concrete stimulus, and wait for him to mature. We should offer a material prize that can be enjoyed in a physical way. A reward that progresses according to the child’s age and maturity: candies, toys, celebrations, honors, etc. Maimonides concludes with the words of the Sages of the Talmud: At the beginning of the educational process, one must motivate his son to study Tora or fulfill the Mitsvot “conditionally”, offering him a material reward. And when he would eventually mature, the son will come to the conclusion that the Mitsvot must be fulfilled “unconditionally”. In my own words: when you mature, you should realize that the Mitsvot are for your own good, even when they do not come with prizes included.
The material reward that the Tora promises, then, is necessary for the most immature stage of the intellectual (or spiritual) life of a Jewish individual. For the stage in which the only thing that can motivate us to comply with something is “convenience”. When I do not have yet the necessary maturity to understand that the greatest benefit of the Mitsvot is my connection with God, which can only be appreciated – and ideally desired – once I reach a level of “love of God”.
For many Rabbis, this is the difference between the first and the second part of the Shema Israel. The first part of the Shema represents the highest ideal. And that is why it speaks exclusively of “love of God.” And in the first part of the Shema, predictably, no reward is mentioned.
To love God means to seek and enjoy His closeness.
To understand this deep idea a little better we should turn to David HaMelekh and my grandson Ness (nickname for Nessim). In Tehillim 131 King David spoke of his love for HaShem and said: כְּ֭גָמֻל עֲלֵ֣י אִמּ֑וֹ. My soul has an emotional dependence on God, which can only be compared to a baby’s dependence on his mother. Nessim, who is nearly two, perfectly illustrates this pasuq. For Ness, there is absolutely nothing that can make him as happy as being with his mom. Nothing! When mom is with him, Nessim DOES NOT NEED ANYTHING ELSE. But when mom has to leave, there is no candy, game or toy that can make as happy or distract him from wanting his parent to return. If mom (or dad!) is not around, Ness is inconsolable.
When we are mature enough to appreciate HaShem’s closeness, Maimonides explains, the reward “is” to study Tora and fulfilling the mitsvot: that is, the enjoyment of a constant connection with HaShem. And when this happens, the material reward promised by the Tora acquires a completely different meaning: abundance, prosperity, health and peace “facilitate” our constant contact with God. Material blessings allow us to devote ourselves to the Tora, and enjoy the Divine Presence with minimum distractions. Having all our needs covered, now we can devote passionately to our main goal.
Finally, and to close the circle, the reward in the World to Come consists of the same kind of pleasure as well. The reward for the righteous individuals in the World to Come is the enjoyment of the Divine Presence. Like Nessim with his mom.
SHABBAT SHALOM
