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Behold, I have placed before you today that which is life and that which is good. (30:15)

One would think that life is the result of good.  A person who conducts himself in a proper and good manner becomes worthy of reward–life.  Consequently, the blessing of chaim is determined, for the most part, by one’s tov.  If this is the case, then the Torah should have said that Hashem grants us good and then life.  Why is the text reversed, implying that these are two distinct gifts? Kli Yakar explains that the Torah takes a different view of the relationship between tov and chaim.  There are individuals whose goal and purpose in life is just that–to live. …

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Then Hashem, your G-d, will bring back your captivity and have mercy upon you, and He will gather you in. (30:3)

Once Klal Yisrael repents, they are assured of the ingathering of the exiles, regardless of where  they are located among the nations of the world.  The Rambam infers from this pasuk that one must believe in the coming of Moshiach.  Indeed, the Rambam writes, “And he who does not believe in him (Moshiach), or he who does not await his coming, does not only  repudiate the (prophecies of) Nevi’im, but also denies the Torah and Moshe Rabbeinu.”  The Brisker Rav, zl, inferred from the Rambam that  he who denies the Geulah, Redemption, is a kofer, non-believer. Even he who does…

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