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How can we serve God out of love while still expecting blessings in return? The shiur develops a key distinction between business relationships (obligation-based) and love relationships (reciprocal but not transactional). Lesser mitzvos paradoxically generate greater reward because they demonstrate love rather than mere duty.
This shiur explores the fundamental tension between serving God out of love versus expectation of reward, addressing several questions from Rashi (רש"י) and Rabbeinu Tam on Parshas Eikev. The core issue emerges from Rashi's apparent contradiction: first stating that mitzvos should be performed out of love rather than for gain, then immediately promising that blessings will indeed follow. The shiur begins by examining Rabbeinu Tam's question regarding two seemingly contradictory statements in Pirkei Avos: one teaching that mitzvos should not be performed for reward, while another suggests doing all mitzvos because we don't know which ones carry greater reward. Additionally, the Mizrachi questions why Rashi emphasizes "lighter" mitzvos when logically all mitzvos should be performed equally.
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Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Parshas Eikev 7:12
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Why does the Torah separate Avrohom's eulogy for Sarah from his crying for her? The shiur shows that Sarah required a public eulogy focused on the communal loss of a leader, not Avrohom's private grief. This teaches that we must view Jewish tragedies through a national lens first, seeing attacks on Am Yisrael as collective losses that dwarf personal concerns.
