ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף דברים 11:19

When they counted the commandments, they said: "we will not count in the negative commandments because merely refraining from them is their performance and the fulfillment of their obligation. Such service of G-d seemed too insignificant in their eyes, and their service seemed little to them due to their desire and longing for reaching the favor of G-d. Therefore they sought positive commandments of the limbs for individuals which apply at all times, places, and circumstances. They did not find any precepts that fits this except reading the torah and studying the commandments, as the verse says: "These words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and speak of them.." (Devarim 6:6). And the prophet (Moshe) exhorted on this a second time in saying: "You shall teach them to your sons, speaking of them, when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Devarim 11:19).

In reality, the undoubted truth of the matter is that man has full sway over all his actions. If he wishes to do a thing, he does it; if he does not wish to do it, he need not, without any external compulsion controlling him. Therefore, God very properly commanded man, saying, "See I have set before thee this day life and the good, death and evil .... therefore choose thou life",⁶Deut. XXX, 15. 19. Cf. H. Teshubah, V, 3. giving us, as regards these, freedom of choice. Consequently, punishment is inflicted upon those who disobey, and reward granted to the obedient, as it is said, "If thou wilt hearken", and "If thou wilt not hearken".⁷Deut. XI, 27. 28. Learning and teaching are also necessary, according to the commands, "Ye shall teach them to your children",⁸Ibid., XI, 19. "and ye shall do them and observe to do them",⁹Ibid., V, 1. and, similarly, all the other passages referring to the study of the commandments. It is also necessary to take all the precautionary measures laid down in the Law, such as, "Thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof; that thou bring not blood upon thy house",¹⁰Ibid., XXII, 8. "lest he die in the battle",¹¹Ibid XX, 5 or 7. "wherein shall he sleep?"¹²Ex. XXII, 26. , and "no man shall take to pledge the nether or the upper millstone",¹³Deut. XXIV, 6. and many other passages in regard to precautions found in the Law and the Prophets.¹⁴See H. Teshubah, V, 4, and Moreh, III, 20; cf. Ibn Baud, Emunah Ramah, II, 6, 2, p. 96.

Strive ever to draw nearer to God, to be more closely united to Him in love and piety, more devoted and faithful to thy sacred mission on earth. Strive also to make the earth a truly human habitation, its creatures truly human possessions, in order that, in addition to your internal resources you may acquire also external wealth as means for carrying out your mission of blessing, and in order to be able independently to establish a house, as a temple in which shall be reared young scions of Adam's race as ideal human beings, ideal Israelites. For such purpose, to grace such a house, take a wife and bring her into your home. Next follows the first task of your blessed mission of love, the first and the highest; to be all in all to helpless human creatures without claim or demand upon you; even to sacrifice your own welfare in order that they shall be able to attain to both earthly well-being and spiritual ideal; that your child may become man-Israel.