The Way They Shall Walk and the Acts of Loving Kindness

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 18:20

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And you shall warn them of the statutes" (Exodus 18:20): these are decrees. "And the laws": these are rulings. So said Rabbi Yehoshua. Rabbi Elazar of Modi'in says: "the statutes" these are testimonies, as it is said (Leviticus 18:30): "and you shall keep My charge, not to do any of the abominable customs." "And the laws" these are decrees. "And you shall make known to them the way in which they shall walk": this is a decree, as it is said (Deuteronomy 5:30): "in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, you shall walk." "And the deed that they shall do": this is the good deed. So are the words of Rabbi Yehoshua. Rabbi Elazar of Modi'in says: "and you shall make known to them" that you shall make known to them the house of their life. "The way" this is acts of loving kindness. "They shall walk" this is visiting the sick. "In it" this is burying the dead. "And the deed" this is the law. "That they shall do" this is going beyond the strict letter of the law.

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