Don’t Take Mitzvot Lightly

Shavua Tov. Rashi, on the first Pasuk in today’s Parsha, points out the importance of not taking any Mitzvot lightly. One must view the seemingly less significant Mitzvot in the same manner as the more serious Mitzvot. This is stated clearly in Pirkei Avot that we should act in this manner, for nobody truly knows the reward of Mitzvot. The Netivot Shalom describes the light Mitzvot as the ones that we tend to take for granted. The מסילת ישרים says that two examples of Mitzvot taken for granted are אהבת ה׳, love of G-d, and יראת ה׳, fear of G-d. Virtually every Jew will say that loving and fearing Hashem, are very important commandments. But ask them when the last time was that they did a self check on how well they were doing in these areas, and they will admit that it’s been a while. This is what the Parsha is saying. Don’t take any of the Mitzvot for granted. Protection is granted to the one who diligently observes all of the Torah.