Reeh 12:28 · unit 3

TT #112 · Parashas Reeh · Second Aliyah · Passuk 12:28

The Complete Passuk

שְׁמֹ֣ר וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֗ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י מְצַוֶּ֑ךָּ לְמַ֩עַן֩ יִיטַ֨ב לְךָ֜ וּלְבָנֶ֤יךָ אַחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙ עַד־עוֹלָ֔ם כִּ֤י תַעֲשֶׂה֙ הַטּ֣וֹב וְהַיָּשָׁ֔ר בְּעֵינֵ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃

Observe and hear all these words that I command you, in order that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the eyes of Hashem your God.

Chabad.org — 12:28

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei.

Sefaria — Sifrei

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
שְׁמֹר וְשָׁמַעְתָּ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכָּל מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ בִּכְלַל מִשְׁנָה אֵינוֹ בִּכְלַל מַעֲשֶׂה.

English: “Observe and hear” — This teaches that anyone who is not included in the study of the Oral Law (mishnah) is not included in the performance of the deeds (ma’aseh).

On the daf / in context: The verse pairs the command to observe with the command to hear/understand. Without the knowledge that comes from learning the Oral tradition, one cannot properly perform the mitzvos.

Type of Learning

Derash on the verse (Sifrei) — equating study of the Oral Law with the ability to act correctly.

What Is Learned

One who is not included in mishnah is not included in ma’aseh; proper performance of the mitzvos depends on knowledge of the Oral Law.