Pisqa’ 79¹

1

“Preserve and hear all these things” (Dt.12:28)—

if you’ve heard only a little Torah,

you’ll eventually hear much.

If you’ve preserved only a little,

you’ll eventually preserve much.

If you’ve preserved what you’ve heard,

you’ll eventually preserve what you haven’t heard.²

Preserve what is at hand [to do],

and eventually you’ll learn [more to do] for the future.

Another word:

If a person earns the merit of Torah-study,

he earns it for all his generations,

till the end of all generations.³

2

“Preserve and hear” (Dt.12:28)—

whatever is not heard in the oral-performative tradition,

has no bearing upon behavior.⁴

“All these things which I am commanding you” (Dt.12:28)—

so that the simplest commandment

shall be as dear to you

as the most arduous commandment.⁵

“For you will perform the good and the virtuous” (Dt.12:28)—

“the good”—in the sight of Heaven;

“and the virtuous”—in the sight of human beings:

words of R. Akiva.⁶

And, moreover, He states;

“He shall find favor and appreciation

in the sight of God and human beings” (Prov.3:4).

R. Ishmael says:

“And the virtuous” (Dt.12:28)—

in the sight of Heaven.⁷

1. H:133-134; JN1:226
2. Mechilta Ishmael, vayass`a, 1. Cf. Pisqa’ 96.3
3. This material is lacking in several mss. See F:145, n.1 and Fraade: 252, n. 162.
4. For the tradition (mishnah) comprehends all meaningful action (ma`aseh).
5. // M. Avot 2:1 and Pisqa’ 82.1 .
6. =T. Sheq.2:1.
7. The bulk of 79.2 is repeated below at 96.3