This pasuk is enigmatic. One would think that the purpose of observing mitzvos, of safeguarding the Torah’s dictate, would be to develop a closer relationship with Hashem. We attain a level of spiritual ascendancy commensurate with our commitment to observe. That, however, is not what the Torah says. We are adjured to safeguard the Torah ,so that we will decline to perform the abominable practices of the heathens into whose land we are entering! While these seem to be pretty strong words, it is not uncommon to find such statements throughout the Torah. One who observes, grows. In contrast, one…
