Ziv: Parashat Ekev 2

A land of milk and honey …

In our parasha, Moses says to the Hebrew people: “You shall faithfully observe all the commandment that I enjoin upon you today” (Dt 8:1). The word “commandment” is in the singular, not in the plural, and this fact has struck many of the commentators: is this so to show that the whole set of commandments is to be considered as a single unit, or conversely, is it to show that the observance of a single commandment equals the whole set of them? The answers are diverse. Rashi begins his commentary on this verse by simply saying, "read according to the plain sense," which is of little help, since the plain sense in this case is far from clear. The Talmud (Sanh. 111a) tells us of a discussion about this topic : “Assuredly, Sheol has opened wide its gullet and parted its jaws in a measureless gape" (Isa. 5:14). Resh Lakish said: [It means] for him who leaves undone even a single statute. Rabbi Johanan said to him: It is not pleasing to the Holy One, blessed be He, that you say thus. Rather [say], who has not studied even a single statute.”
Two visions are placed in opposition. We may understand that the commandments represent a body of elements that complement each other, just as the members of the body come together to form a single body. On the other hand, we may consider that upholding even a single commandment is sufficient to lead a person on the way of perfection, because the whole Torah is contained in each one of them. Another commentator, R. Joseph Elbo, in his Sefer ha Ikarim, 3:29, raises the question: if this last statement is true, why would God have instructed us to observe so many other commandments with so much detail about each one? However, considering that the total observance of the commandments without a single transgression is beyond human ability, no one could ever achieve human perfection, which is a paradox : the Torah might be an obstacle standing in the way of its proper objective… He concludes that even by upholding properly a single commandment, a person can achieve perfection. This approach emphasizes the diversity and uniqueness of human beings. The multiplicity of commandments is not just quantitative, but also qualitative, providing alternative routes and a variety of possibilities, for worshipping the Lord and thereby achieving human perfection. Shabbat shalom.