DEUT489 See [[DEUT135]] Deuteronomy 4:37 loved OXFORD 40

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DEUT492 Is self-accounting the same for all people? I would say, in response to this question, that earnest deliberation on one's religious and secular concerns varies, in accordance with each person's perception, intelligence, and clarity of understanding. Each and every individual is obligated to make a personal accounting of what he is bound to do in the service of the Creator, May He be exalted, in accordance with his recognition of the Creator’s graces, universal [those he shares with all others] and particular [those specially bestowed upon him]. As it says in Scripture: “Consider it this day; For it is not with your children, who did not know and experience the discipline of Hashem your God, [that I am speaking].... For it was your eyes that saw all the great work that God performed [Devarim 11:2-7]. The meaning here is that God's claim on you is much stronger and more glaring than it is on your children, who did not have the opportunity to witness His wonders as you did. For you saw them with your own eyes. You, and not they, were specially graced with great favors; And you, not they, were spared from the plagues of Egypt and of Korach. Therefore, you are under special obligation to serve God, [in gratitude] for these [favors]. This is true of all others as well. Different peoples have different obligations, in accordance with their respective powers of perception and in accordance with the different degrees to which they have been graced with favors.

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DEUT493 The word mussar itself means "correction" or "instruction" (And sometimes the even stronger "rebuke" or "reproof" or "reproach." It appears first in [this verse] and occurs many times in the Bible) and also serves as the simple modern Hebrew word for "ethics." But Mussar is most accurately described as a way of life. It shines light on the causes of suffering and shows us how to realize our highest spiritual potential, including an everyday experience infused with happiness, trust, and love.

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DEUT494 See [[DEUT252]] Deuteronomy 6:7 children AMEMEI 142-3

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DEUT495 See [[LEV261]] Leviticus 18:25 vomit AMEMEI 126

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DEUT496 See [[LEV260]] Leviticus 18:25 spewed AMJV 212

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DEUT497 What is the intent of "if hearken you shall hearken?" If a man hearkens to one mitzvah, he is enabled [by Heaven] to hearken to many mizvoth (Mechilta Beshalach 15:26)

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DEUT498 "The Torah says:' Love Adonai your God and serve God with all your heart' [this verse]. How does one serve God with one's heart? You must say, by prayer" (Taan. 2a). To thus serve God, you don't always need to be in a special place: "When you pray, pray in the synagogue in your city; if you cannot pray in the synagogue in your city, pray in an open field; if you cannot pray in an open field, pray in your house; if you cannot pray in your house, pray in your bed; if you cannot pray aloud in your bed, commune with your heart" (Mid. Pss. 4:9). The outdoors often inspires us. Francie [co-author Frances Weinman Schwartz] recalls focusing on a redwood tree in the Santa Cruz mountains while praying the daily morning service, and feeling an almost palpable sense of God's presence. We have even heard about worship--Minhah, afternoon service--that takes place when the Baltimore Orioles play day games in their home stadium! It is easy to achieve this important ideal: wherever, whenever an urge to pray occurs, act on it. "The congregation of Israel says, 'We are poor; we have no sacrifices to bring as a sin offering.' God replies, 'I need only words,' as Scripture says, 'Take with you words' [Hos. 14:3].

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DEUT499 See [[DEUT205]] Deuteronomy 6:5 heart DUTIES 13-15

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DEUT500 In the Bible, where the unit of consideration is the nation, and where the moral horizon is bounded by this world, the law of compensation plays the leading role. The acts of the individual have their bearing not only upon his own but also upon his people's future. Achan, by breaking a tabu, brings guilt upon the entire people (Joshua 7). Jonathan tastes the honey of the forest, an unconscious violation of Saul's oath, and thereby brings defeat to the army of Israel. On the other hand, righteous men are the bulwark of the community. A faithful remnant ensures the nation's future (Genesis 18; Isaiah 10:20 f.). Obedience to the commands of God guarantees prosperity, plenty and security for oneself and for the nation. Disobedience, on the other hand, entails sorrow, grief, misery, defeat, suffering, and death (Deuteronomy 11:13-21; 28; Leviticus 26). "That it may be well with thee" and "that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth" are the recurrent themes of Deuteronomy and are implied in the other books of the Bible. The well-being referred to is both communal and personal.

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