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Torah Book & Portion, Book of Exodus, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23), Source Book Keys, SPERO

EXODUS | 20:8 keep — EXOD386 As to the reason why a positive precept h...

EXOD386 As to the reason why a positive precept has the power to overrule a negative one, the suggestion has been made that the two kinds of precepts appeal primarily two different attitudes in man and involve different motivations. To go out and expend energy and substance in the bidding of one's master is generally prompted by love, which in turn evokes a response of compassion; i.e., the divine attribute of mercy, rachamim. However, to refrain from doing that which is forbidden by one's master is generally prompted by fear, to which God responds with his attribute of justice (din). But since love of God is greater than fear of God, the power of the positive precept is greater than the power of the negative, so that in cases of conflict, the positive overrules the negative [Nachmanides on this verse]. This may also explain why the Torah prescribes penalties of all sorts for violation of the negative precepts while generally no penalties are ordered for nonfeasance or neglecting to perform the positive commands.

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Source KeySPERO
Verse20:8
Keyword(s)keep
Source Page(s)327

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EXODUS | 20:7 vain — EXOD383 His son R. Ishmael said: He who avoids in... Previous Article EXODUS | 20:8 sanctify — EXOD387 Sanctify the Shabbos with words. At the s... Next Article

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