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What does the Torah (תורה) mean when it promises rewards 'at the end' (akeiv) for following mitzvos? The shiur develops that akeiv refers not to temporal reward but to the ultimate result of properly observing social justice laws. When we perfect interpersonal relationships through mishpatim, we bring the entire world to its state of completion and perfection.
The shiur opens with a textual question on the opening verse of Parshas Eikev: 'V'hayah eikev ki tishma'un' - traditionally translated as 'And it shall be, because you listen.' Rabbi Zweig follows the Ibn Ezra and Ba'al HaTurim who translate 'eikev' as 'at the end' rather than 'because,' since eikev literally means heel - the end of the body. This creates a puzzle: why does the Torah (תורה) emphasize that rewards come 'at the end'? We know rewards don't typically come in this world, and we're not supposed to perform mitzvos for reward anyway. To resolve this, Rabbi Zweig draws on a foundational teaching from Pirkei Avos where Rabbi asks: 'What is the proper path a person should choose?' The answer: 'That which brings honor to the one who does it and honor from other people.' The Ramchal in Mesilat Yesharim interprets this as teaching that mitzvos serve two purposes: self-perfection and tikkun olam hamedinos (creating international brotherhood).
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Parshas Eikev 7:12
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