Reward and Punishment/2

Reward and Punishment

Exegetical Approaches

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Individuals Not Rewarded in this World

Individuals do not receive true retribution in this world, getting their just desserts only in the next world.

Sources:R. Yaakov in Bavli KiddushinKiddushin 39bKiddushin 40bAbout the Bavli and Bavli ChulinChulin 142aAbout the Bavli, perhaps Kuzari3:19About R. Yehuda HaLevi,¹ RambamCommentary on the Mishna Peah 1:1Commentary on the Mishna Sanhedrin 10:1Commentary on the Mishna Avot 1:3Hilkhot Teshuvah 8:1-3Hilkhot Teshuvah 8:5-8Hilkhot Teshuvah 9Hilkhot Teshuvah 10:1-2Hilkhot Teshuvah 10:4-5Moreh Nevukhim 3:18Moreh Nevukhim 3:27Moreh Nevukhim 3:28Moreh Nevukhim 3:51About R. Moshe b. Maimon, R. YonahAvot 4:2About R. Yonah b. Avraham Gerondi, RalbagVayikra 26:4-5Devarim 5:29Devarim 6:24-25Devarim 22:7Shemot Beur HaParashah 20:11Shemot Toalot 23:25Vayikra Toalot 26:3Devarim Toalot 6:24Milchamot Hashem 4:4Milchamot Hashem 4:6About R. Levi b. Gershom, RanDerashot HaRan 8About R. Nissim Gerondi, R. Chasdai CrescasOr Hashem 2:2:4About R. Chasdai Crescas, Sefer HaIkkarim4:104:114:294:304:334:394:40About R. Yosef Albo,² ?AbarbanelShemot 20:11Vayikra 26:3Devarim 4:15Devarim 22:6Devarim 32 IntroductionNachalat Avot Mishna Avot 1:3About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel,

Biblical blessings – This position must explain the Torah's many promises of reward and punishment, especially considering that many of these are physical in nature,³ implying that they refer to this world.  If there is no individual retribution in this world, to what do these refer?

• Collective recompense – R. Crescas, R"Y Albo and Abarbanel⁴ respond that the retribution spoken about throughout Torah refers only to the collective and speaks of national rather than individual rewards. 
• Collective nature – This is supported by the collective nature of the vast majority of the Torah's blessings and curses which speak of war, rain, famine and the like.⁵
• Plural formulation – As further support for this reading, R"Y Albo further points to the plural formulation of the blessings/curses of Vayikra 26,⁶ which suggests that a group, rather than an individual, is being addressed. He notes that other verses, despite being worded in the singular, explicitly mention or reference the nation as well.⁷ [Even without such explicit references, however, the singular formulation need not be troubling as the nation is often addressed as an individual body.]
• Larger covenantal context – The context of the blessings and curses of both Vayikra 26 and Devarim 28 is that of a national covenant, further implying that they are aimed at the nation as a whole.
• Rewards of next world – This approach can also suggest that certain rewards⁸ in Torah do indeed refer to the individual, but to blessings of the next world.  Thus, R. Yaakov maintains that the promises of "לְמַעַן יִיטַב לָךְ / לְמַעַן יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ" in Devarim 5:15 and Devarim 22:7⁹ refer to the spiritual good and eternal life of the next world.¹⁰
• Enablers (or obstacles) – In contrast to the above, Rambam¹¹ suggests that even individuals might in fact benefit from the promises of Torah in this world, but he maintains that these do not constitute rewards but rather enablers.¹² A life free of troubles, sickness, and war will make it easier for people to observe Hashem's commandments,¹³ paving the way for one to earn real reward in the next world.¹⁴  

Evidence from Biblical history – This position must explain historical cases of individuals (from Kayin to David) who appear to be personally rewarded / punished by Hashem already in this world .¹⁵

• Rambam would claim that these cases are not examples of punishments/ rewards but deterrents or enablers, preparing the person for his full retribution in the next world.
• Others might suggest that these cases are exceptional, either because the individual's actions had ramifications for the nation as a whole (as in the case of the spies or Korach) or because the individuals were leaders who are above the system of law and not easily punished in human courts.

Difficult verses – Several verses are somewhat difficult for this approach as, at first glance, they appear to speak explicitly of individual (and not collective) retribution in this world specifically:¹⁶

• "וּמְשַׁלֵּם לְשֹׂנְאָיו אֶל פָּנָיו לְהַאֲבִידוֹ לֹא יְאַחֵר" – Contrary to this approach, this verse implies that individual punishment¹⁷ is not deferred (לֹא יְאַחֵר). It is possible, though, that the verse is not speaking of immediate punishment at all.  It simply states that in contrast to the previous verse's promise that righteous deeds will be remembered for thousands of years, a sinner's actions will not affect those generations that come after him (לֹא יְאַחֵר), but only he himself (אֶל פָּנָיו).¹⁸
• Individual observance – Verses which speak of rewards for individual observance of specific mitzvot,¹⁹ would seem to also be speaking of individual recompense.  Some commentators²⁰ claim that, nonetheless, even these refer only to collective retribution.²¹ Thus, RalbagVayikra 26:4-5Devarim 5:29Devarim 6:24-25Devarim 22:7Shemot Beur HaParashah 20:11Shemot Toalot 23:25Vayikra Toalot 26:3Devarim Toalot 6:24Milchamot Hashem 4:4Milchamot Hashem 4:6About R. Levi b. Gershom understands the promise "לְמַעַן יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר י״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ" to refer not to personal longevity, but a long national existence in the land of Israel.²²
• "אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה... וְרָבְצָה בּוֹ כׇּל הָאָלָה הַכְּתוּבָה בַּסֵּפֶר הַזֶּה" – This verse implies that the punishments of Devarim 28 will apply even on the individual  level.  One could say, however that the verse is saying only that such a sinner should not think that he will escape the collective punishment of the verses.
• וְשַׂמְתִּי אֲנִי אֶת פָּנַי בָּאִישׁ הַהוּא – These sources might claim that this verse is not referring to punishment in this world, as it mentions כרת, understood by the Rambam to mean being cut off from the next world.²³  

Ultimate reward: physical or spiritual? One of the main philosophical motivations for this position is the belief in the primacy of spiritual rewards:

• AbarbanelShemot 20:11Vayikra 26:3Devarim 4:15Devarim 22:6Devarim 32 IntroductionNachalat Avot Mishna Avot 1:3About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel notes that since observance of Hashem's commandments is essentially a spiritual act, it is only fitting that the ultimate reward be spiritual as well.
• RambamCommentary on the Mishna Peah 1:1Commentary on the Mishna Sanhedrin 10:1Commentary on the Mishna Avot 1:3Hilkhot Teshuvah 8:1-3Hilkhot Teshuvah 8:5-8Hilkhot Teshuvah 9Hilkhot Teshuvah 10:1-2Hilkhot Teshuvah 10:4-5Moreh Nevukhim 3:18Moreh Nevukhim 3:27Moreh Nevukhim 3:28Moreh Nevukhim 3:51About R. Moshe b. Maimon adds that physical rewards, being meaningless to the soul and paling in comparison to spiritual rewards, are insignificant to the point of being almost worthless.  Moreover, the highest pleasure is contemplation of God, and this is best achieved when the soul is not trapped and limited by a body.  As such, it is impossible to be fully rewarded in this physical world; retribution must of necessity come only in the next world where the righteous merit to commune with Hashem (נֶהֱנִין מִזִּיו הַשְּׁכִינָה) and the sinners are cut off.²⁴

Hashem's providence – This reading of reward and punishment is further influenced by these sources' understanding of Divine providence. According to many of these thinkers,²⁵ though there is individual Divine providence, not all merit it to the same degree.²⁶ Moreover, the world is generally run via natural law²⁷ rather than such providence.²⁸  In such a world, judged as it by the deeds of the majority, an individual cannot often reap the appropriate recompense for his personal deeds, as doing so would necessitate intervening in nature²⁹ (a degree of providence which many might not deserve).

Today's reality – These sources might also be motivated by their perceptions of reality, in which individuals often do not appear to receive the rewards promised by Torah despite mitzvah observance.³⁰  Positing that the Torah does not actually promise individual retribution in this world resolves the seeming contradiction.³¹  [By adding that the individual instead gets his just compensation in the next world, they also address the associated and more general problem of theodicy.³²]

Is not deferred retribution unjust? One might question the justice of deferred retribution.  If a person sins or acts righteously in this world, should he not get his due in this world as well?  Is it fair that one needs to wait for the next world to be compensated? 

• Rambam appears unperturbed by the question, assuming that the magnitude of the good of the next world renders all rewards of this world negligible. According to him, it is simply impossible to get full reward in this world, so there can be no question of injustice.
• Others might suggest that since this and the next world are really one continuum,³³ there is no issue in meting out recompense in one world for deeds done in the other.

Nature of עולם הבא – This approach can take one of two approaches regarding the nature of the  World to Come:

• According to Rambam, "עולם הבא" refers to the eternal existence of the souls of the deserving after death (and the cutting off of the undeserving).  It is a purely spiritual existence where souls exist without a body, basking in Hashem's glory, with no need for food, drink, or sleep.  It is not a distinct place to be created in the future after the Messianic era and Resurrection of the Dead,³⁴ but simply how one refers to what happens to each soul immediately after death.
• One could have alternatively suggested, as do R. Saadia Gaon and Ramban, that "עולם הבא" is an actual physical place which will be created after the Messianic age and Resurrection of the Dead, in which the resurrected will live eternally. If so, the ultimate reward is for both the body and soul, and is not purely spiritual (though bodies will not need physical sustenance as they do in this world).  R"Y Albo explains that since both the body and soul performed mitzvot, and neither was fully rewarded in this world, they both deserve reward in the next world.

Why isn't עולם הבא mentioned in the Torah? Considering that these sources all  assume that "עולם הבא" constitutes the ultimate reward, they must explain why it is never mentioned in Torah. Many explanations have been offered;³⁵ just a few are listed below:

• Rambam explains that Hashem omitted mention of this bliss because He does not want people to serve Him for hopes of reward or fear of punishment, but rather for the sake of Hashem Himself.
• Ibn EzraShemot Second Commentary 20:11Shemot Second Commentary 23:25Devarim 5:15Devarim 32:39About R. Avraham ibn Ezra suggests that since Torah is given to the masses, who would not be able to comprehend the secrets of the next world, Hashem speaks on their level, telling only of the physical rewards of this world.
• R"Y Albo asserts that Torah's focus is the collective rather than the individual, being a covenant between Hashem and the nation. Therefore, there is no room for discussion of the next world which refers only to the fate of the individual.
• The Kuzari and Ran³⁶ note that if Torah only spoke of a world to come (as is promised by other religions), there would be no way to verify Hashem's providence and one would have to rely on faith alone that retribution is really to come.³⁷  The Kuzari further adds that, for many, the physical rewards of this world are a greater incentive to observance than promises of the next world.

Is it problematic to hope for reward? Commentators divide on this point.

• Rambam claims that one should observe mitzvot for their own sake, simply because that is God's bidding, and not for hopes of reward. As mentioned, it is for this reason that true rewards are not mentioned in Torah.
• Abarbanel, in contrast, asserts that there is nothing wrong with serving Hashem in hopes of reward, as proven by the many verses in which Hashem Himself says to observe "so that it will be good for you" and the like. He does assert, however, that one should not serve with the hope of achieving physical rewards in mind as these are fleeting and not the true compensation, regardless.

Human vs. Divine punishments – Recompense in this world is meted out by humans, through the court system, while in the next world it is left to the hands of Hashem.

Purpose of rewards / punishments

Individuals Rewarded in this World

Individuals receive retribution for their actions already in this world, and not only in the next world. This position subdivides regarding the extent of the compensation in this world:

Rewards for All Mitzvot

Individuals gets reward in both this and the next world for observance of every mitzvah.

Sources:perhaps one opinion in Bavli KiddushinKiddushin 39bAbout the Bavli,³⁸ NetzivVayikra 26:3Devarim 5:29Devarim 6:24Devarim 22:7About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin,

Biblical blessings – This approach might suggest that all the blessings and curses mentioned in the Torah, even those formulated in the plural³⁹ and which are collective in nature,⁴⁰ are applicable on the individual level. As most of these are prefaced by variations of the formulation "אִם שָׁמֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל מִצְוֺתַי", they would appear to apply to observance of all mitzvot. In addition, the fact that the vast majority are physical in nature, would suggest that they refer to retribution in this world.

Specific mention of the individual – Several verses more explicitly target the individual for reward or punishment:

• Devarim 29:17-20 addresses individual sinners (יֶעְשַׁן אַף י״י וְקִנְאָתוֹ בָּאִישׁ הַהוּא), stating that they, too, will be plagued by the curses of Devarim 28.  The verses imply that even if the collective is being rewarded and reaping blessings, the sinner will individually suffer the calamities described.
• Other verses speak of retribution for individual observance or transgression of mitzvot, also implying that refer to the individual.⁴¹  As several of these specifically mention receiving rewards "on this land"⁴² and others refer to physical punishment⁴³ or material  prosperity,⁴⁴ it seems that these, too, refer to recompense in this world and not the next. In addition, some of these rewards (longevity and dying childless) would seem to naturally affect the individual rather than the collective.

"וּמְשַׁלֵּם לְשֹׂנְאָיו אֶל פָּנָיו לְהַאֲבִידוֹ לֹא יְאַחֵר" – Devarim 7:10's statement that punishment will not be delayed (לֹא יְאַחֵר) to individual sinners further supports the idea that individuals receive retribution already in this world.

Plural formulation – This position is not troubled by the plural formulation used in describing several of the blessings and curses as this does not preclude them from referring to the individual.⁴⁵

Evidence from Biblical history – The fact that many individuals in Tanakh (including Adam and Chavvah, Kayin, Yehuda's children, Miriam, and Korach) receive immediate punishment already in this world is further proof that retribution is not deferred to the next world.

Ultimate reward: physical or spiritual? According to this approach, though the ultimate reward is the spiritual one in the next world, justice dictates that one receive physical rewards as well. Since both one's body and soul participated in the positive or negative deed,⁴⁶ one deserves both physical and spiritual retribution.⁴⁷

Deferred justice is unfair – This approach might be further motivated by a discomfort with the idea of deferring punishment to the next world.  One should receive retribution when and where the crime or good deed was performed, "מקום הרשע שמה המשפט", mandating that retribution take place already in this world.

Divine providence – This approach divides in how it views Divine providence and how Hashem ensures that each person gets his recompense:

• Miraculous rewards – According to this approach, one might suggest that this world is run by individual providence and Hashem actively intervenes in nature so as to reward and punish as deserved. As such, though many verses promise punishment which is collective in nature and which would seem to unavoidably prevent the righteous from receiving proper recompense, this position would claim that Hashem intervenes to ensure that only the deserving individuals suffer when calamities fall, while the righteous are spared and instead given their proper reward.⁴⁸
• Natural rewards – Netziv, in contrast, asserts that rewards and punishments are built into the very fabric of observance and transgression. Performing mitzvot naturally brings blessing in its wake and transgressions naturally bring calamity.⁴⁹ This, though, does not mean that a righteous individual will automatically be saved from collective afflictions;⁵⁰ even innocents can be caught in a general catastrophe.⁵¹

Today's reality – One might question this approach from the perceived reality of today, in which it does not appear that people always get rewarded in this world. 

• Insufficient merit – This approach might respond that the vast majority of the rewards and punishments in Torah are for general observance, which is difficult for an outsider (not privy to others' every thought and action) to gauge. Moreover, Torah does not even share what level of righteousness one needs to merit these rewards. It is, thus, possible that people who do not reap blessings have simply not accumulated sufficient merits.
• Misperception of reward – In other cases, the reward is very general in nature (למען ייטב לך), which makes its fulfillment difficult for an outsider to perceive.⁵²  The lack of perception, though, does not mean that the reward was not granted.
• Unexplained – It is more difficult to understand cases where one observes a Torah command whose specific reward is enumerated in the text but is not granted that blessing.⁵³

Is it problematic to hope for reward? These sources might suggest that there is nothing wrong with serving Hashem with hopes for even physical reward.⁵⁴  After all, Hashem Himself continuously alludes to such blessings, encouraging the nation to observe His commandments "so that... ". 

Purpose of Rewards/ Punishments – This position might consider the motivational role of rewards / punishments to be just as important as the retributive function.  As such, the Torah promises immediate rewards and punishments, recognizing that recompense that affects the individual already in this world is a much stronger motivator/deterrent for behavior than promises of future blessings.

Rewards for Select Mitzvot or Individuals

Sources:Mishna PeahPeah 1:1About the Mishna and Tosefta PeahPeah 1:2About the Tosefta,⁵⁵ R. Yochanan in Bavli Shabbat,⁵⁶ perhaps R. Saadia GaonCommentary Bereshit 6:7HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 5:1HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 6:5HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 8:2HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 9:1HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 9:2About R. Saadia Gaon, Chovot HaLevavot4:4About R. Bachya ibn Pakuda, RambanBereshit 17:1Bereshit 18:19Shemot 6:2Shemot 13:16Vayikra 18:4-5Vayikra 26:11Vayikra 26:12Devarim 6:24-25Devarim 11:13Devarim 11:13About R. Moshe b. Nachman, perhaps ShadalDevarim 6:24Yeshayahu IntroductionAbout R. Shemuel David Luzzatto⁵⁷, perhaps R. David Zvi HoffmannShemot 20:11Devarim 6:25About R. David Zvi Hoffmann

For which mitzvot? These sources divide regarding the deeds / circumsatnces for which one receives retribution also in this world:

• Interpersonal acts –  Mishnah PeahPeah 1:1About Mishna Peah and Bavli ShabbatShabbat 127a-bAbout Bavli Shabbat mention the specific mitzvot of honoring parents, acts of kindness,⁵⁸ peace-making and learning Torah. RambamCommentary on the Mishna Peah 1:1About R. Moshe b. Maimon notes that the common denominator is that all are interpersonal mitzvot,⁵⁹ and suggests that the Mishnah is claiming that for these one gets reward already in this world,⁶⁰ while for mitzvot between man and his Creator, one reaps reward only in the next world.⁶¹  Chovot Halevavot makes a similar distinction, but in contrast to the Mishnah, he claims that the former is rewarded only in this world, and the latter only in the World to Come.⁶²
• Severe crimes – Tosefta PeahPeah 1:2About the Tosefta enumerates crimes for which one is punished in both worlds, listing idolatry, murder, sexual misdeeds and gossip. The common denominator might be the severity of the crime, as three of the four constitute those commands for which one is obligated to forfeit one's life rather than transgress.⁶³
• For select individuals – Ramban suggests that though most people will not be compensated in this world, as the world is generally run by natural order, the totally righteous and the totally wicked who merit individual providence might get their just due in this world as well.

Biblical evidence – The above lists of mitzvot and transgressions for which one receives recompense even in this world might find support in the Biblical text. Though most blessings / curses in Torah do indeed appear to be aimed at the collective,⁶⁴ a handful appear to explicitly address the individual, either targeting an "איש" or speaking of individual observance of specific commands. These are limited to the mitzvot found in the lists above: honoring parents and various acts of kindness⁶⁵ and sexual or idolatrous offenses.⁶⁶  

•  Interpersonal deeds  – These include honoring parents (Shemot 20:11), giving the tithe of the poor (Devarim 14:28-29) or loans to the disadvantaged (Devarim 15:7-10), sending away the mother bird (Devarim 22:6-7), or dealing honestly in business (Devarim 25:15).⁶⁷  Half of these are rewarded with longevity, a blessing which by its nature is aimed at the individual in this life.
• Idolatrous offenses - In Vayikra 20:3 Hashem explicitly targets the individual worshiper of the Molekh, "וַאֲנִי אֶתֵּן אֶת פָּנַי בָּאִישׁ הַהוּא" and in Devarim 29:17-20, he similarly mentions "אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה" who turns to idolatry, claiming that he will suffer the punishments mentioned in Devarim 28. 

"מְשַׁלֵּם לְשֹׂנְאָיו אֶל פָּנָיו לְהַאֲבִידוֹ לֹא יְאַחֵר"

Spiritual or physical – Spiritual acts are rewarded in the spiritual sphere; non-spiritual ones are compensated for also in the physical world.⁶⁸

Changing Rewards

Hashem's modes of providence have changed over time.  Though immediate reward and punishment is manifest in the Biblical and First Temple periods, it disappeared thereafter as Hashem's initial overt providence gradually became covert.

"עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר י״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ"

¹ R. Yehuda HaLevi speaks of the collective retribution of this world and the individual rewards of the World to Come, but suggests that there might also be at least minimal reward to the individual, too, in this world: "וְעוֹד שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה יִתֵּן לָהֶם תְּמוּרָה טוֹבָה וְיֵיטִיב לָהֶם בִּקְצָת טוֹבָה יִהְיוּ בָהּ נִכָּרִים מִשְּׁכֵנֵיהֶם".

² This seems to be how R"Y Albo understands the rewards/punishments mentioned in Torah as a whole, as he explicitly states that Torah never speaks of individual retribution in this world, only of national recompense (ונתבאר מדברינו שלא נזכר בתורה השכר האישיי הגשמיי כמו שחשבו רבים אלא הרוחני הפרטי והגשמיי הכללי).  At first glance his comments in Sefer HaIkkarim 4:294:294:40About R. Yosef Albo appear to contradict this as he writes: והדעת הרביעי הוא דעת מי שיאמין שהשכר ממנו גשמי ובעולם הזה וממנו רוחני ובעולם הבא אחר המות, וזהו דעת תורתנו הקדושה שיעדה יעודים גשמיים פרטיים לצדיקים כמו לאבות ולזולתם".  It is possible, though, that here too, R"Y Albo is referring to collective physical rewards, but noting that also exceptional individuals such as the Patriarchs will merit such rewards as well.  [Alternatively, he might maintain that even though the Torah does not mention specific rewards for the individual, the individual nonetheless does receive rewards in both worlds.]

³ See, for instance the rewards and punishments promised in Shemot 15:26,  Vayikra 26, Devarim 7:11-16, Devarim 11:13-25, Devarim 28 or Devarim 29:21-27.  As these include agricultural blessings, promises of victory over enemies, abundance of children, and health, they would seem to relate to this world rather than the next.

⁴ This is also R. Shemuel EidelsMaharsha Chidushei Aggadot Kiddushin 39bAbout R. Shemuel Eidels (Maharsha)' understanding of R. Yaakov's position in Kiddushin, "די״ל לרבי יעקב דמודה דזכות הרבים ומעשיהם הטובים מביאים להם כל הברכות והטובות שנזכרו בתורה גם בעוה״ז וכן בהיפך בחטא הרבים אבל ר״י לא אמר כן אלא ביחיד". See also R. Elazar in Kiddushin 40bKiddushin 40bAbout the Bavli who notes that "the world is judged by the majority".

⁵ See, for instance, Shemot 23:27, Vayikra 26:3-12 / Vayikra 26:14-21, Devarim 7:16, Devarim 11:13-17, Devarim 28:1-13, 21-25, 49-63, and Devarim 29:21-27. All of these naturally affect an entire group, not the individual.

⁶ See also Devarim 5:25, 29, Devarim 11:8-9, 13-25 and Devarim 32:46-47.

⁷ R"Y Albo points to Devarim 28:36, which speaks of "you and your king" going into exile, clearly referring to the nation at large.  See also Devarim 7:14 ("בָּרוּךְ תִּהְיֶה מִכׇּל הָעַמִּים"), Devarim 28:9 ("יְקִימְךָ י״י לוֹ לְעַם קָדוֹשׁ") and Devarim 28:52 ("וְהֵצַר לְךָ בְּכׇל שְׁעָרֶיךָ בְּכׇל אַרְצְךָ"). Other verses (Devarim 29:23-27) foretell how outsiders will view the fate of the country when the blessings / curses come to fruition, further supporting the idea that Biblical rewards are aimed at the group rather than the individual.
In addition, the collective context of specific verses implies that even surrounding verses which could theoretically be explained to refer only to the individual refer to the group as well. Thus, though the blessings of Devarim 28:3-8 are all worded in the singular ("בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה") and could easily refer only to individuals, the fact that they are followed by a discussion of how the nation will perceived after these have been bestowed, suggests that even the initial blessings of the list speak of the collective.  Similarly, though Shemot 23:26 refers to the removal of barrenness, a promise which might be understood to refer to an individual, the verse's addition of "in your land" ("לֹא תִהְיֶה מְשַׁכֵּלָה וַעֲקָרָה בְּאַרְצֶךָ") suggests that it is referring to a nation-wide phenomenon.

⁸ It would be very difficult to suggest that all discussions of recompense in the Torah refer only to the next world as many speak of purely physical phenomena (as discussed above), all of which would seem to be irrelevant to the next world.  However, one could perhaps posit an in-between position, that all the rewards refer only to the eras of Mashiach and Revival of the Dead which are to usher one into the next world.  See R. BachyaAbout R. Bachya ibn Pakuda who writes, "והנה כל הפרשה הזאת בין ביעודים גופניים בין ביעודים שכליים הבטחה עתידה היא, כי מעולם לא נתקיימה אבל תתקיים בזמן השלמות". [In this he follows RambanBereshit 17:1Bereshit 18:19Shemot 13:16Vayikra 26:11Vayikra 26:12Devarim 6:24-25Devarim 11:13Devarim 11:13About R. Moshe b. Nachman, but Ramban suggests that the only reason the rewards are to come in the time of Mashiach is because it is then that the nation will first merit them; implying that if the entire nation is deserving earlier, the promises will come to fruition earlier.]

⁹ These verses refer to honoring one's parents and sending away the mother bird.  Similar blessings are mentioned for honesty in business dealings in Devarim 25:15, and for general observance of mitzvot in Devarim 5:25, Devarim 5:29, Devarim 6:24, Devarim 12:28 and Devarim 32:47.

¹⁰ This, however, is difficult in this specific case, as the verse explicitly states, "עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר י״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ", suggesting that the promise applies to this world. Nonetheless, the concept can be applied to other verses such as as Devarim 5:25, Devarim 6:24, and . None of these verses mention specific physical goods or that the blessing will apply "on the land." See R"Y Albo who explains also the promises of "וָחַי בָּהֶם" in Vayikra 18:5 to refer to eternal life.

¹¹ See also R. Yonah.

¹² Cf. SefornoVayikra 26:12Devarim 5:15Devarim 5:29Devarim 6:24-25Devarim 7:12Devarim 22:7About R. Ovadyah Seforno who claims that any good that is reaped by an individual in this world is a "חסד", not retribution for his deeds.

¹³ Rambam notes that this is the reason that all yearn for the Messianic age as well.  The peace that will mark the era will enable all to engage in Torah and mitzvot, meriting all with the rewards of the next world.

¹⁴ The same is true for sinners.  Once someone has embarked on a path of evil, he is cursed with travails, making observance more difficult and paving the way for his true punishment in the next world.

¹⁵ Others examples include the spies, Yehuda's sons, Miriam, Korach, Datan and Aviram, and more.

¹⁶ These would not be difficult for Rambam, who would view as speaking of enablers, as discussed above.

¹⁷ See the singular formulation: "אֶל פָּנָיו לְהַאֲבִידוֹ".

¹⁸ See Rashbam and R"Y Bekhor Shor. One could alternatively explain, like Ralbag, that the verse is referring to the immediate punishment of the collective, speaking of  enemy nations, not individual sinners. Hence, the initial plural  formulation of "לְשֹׂנְאָיו". [Ralbag himself, however, understands the verse as a whole in a different manner.  Following the Targum and others, he assumes that the verse refers to early rewarding of sinners for the few positive actions they perform, so as to more fully punish them later.]

¹⁹ See, for instance, the promise of long life for honoring one's parents in Shemot 20:11 or for using proper weights in business in Devarim 25:15.

²⁰ See Ibn EzraShemot Second Commentary 20:11About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RalbagVayikra 26:4-5Devarim 5:29Devarim 6:24-25Devarim 22:7Shemot Beur HaParashah 20:11Shemot Toalot 23:25Vayikra Toalot 26:3Devarim Toalot 6:24Milchamot Hashem 4:4Milchamot Hashem 4:6About R. Levi b. Gershom, ShadalShemot 20:11Devarim 6:24About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto and Hoil MosheShemot 20:11About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi .

²¹ See above that others suggest that these refer to rewards of the next world.

²² He explains the mechanism of the collective reward, noting that a society in which people revere their parents is one in which people have respect for their elders.  This, in turn, leads to general Torah observance, meriting the nation to live in Israel and not be exiled.
Though he and the other exegetes address only Shemot 20, the same logic could be applied to other similar verses which also grant long or good life for individual observance of specific commands. Another example where the text itself might imply national retribution for what appears to be an individual transgression is Shemot 22:21-23.  As the chapter as a whole speaks of recompense to be meted out in human courts for individual crimes, it would seem that these verses, too, speak of an individual's actions, yet nonetheless the punishment appears collective in nature, "וְחָרָה אַפִּי וְהָרַגְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בֶּחָרֶב".

²³ Alternatively, this approach could explain that this case is exceptional, as it speaks of a scenario in which human courts fail to do their job ("הַעְלֵם יַעְלִימוּ עַם הָאָרֶץ אֶת עֵינֵיהֶם מִן הָאִישׁ הַהוּא"), leaving Hashem to fill in.

²⁴ For the Rambam, the biggest punishment is that a soul should cease to exist and lose the opportunity of joining in the spiritual good of the next world.

²⁵ See Rambam, Ralbag, Ran, R"Y Albo, and Abarbanel.

²⁶ The more righteous one is (or the more in line with the Active Intellect), the more providence one will receive. Ralbag notes that, as a result, it is possible that some people might not merit any individual providence at all.  Even a basically good person, who at times benefits from Divine providence, might not merit enough providence to cause Hashem to overturn nature on  his behalf.

²⁷ These sources do not use the language of natural order but instead refer to "מערכת הכוכבים".

²⁸ The Ran points to Rava's statement in Bavli Moed Katan 28a  that length of life and livelihood are dependent on the constellations rather than one's merits, as proven by the very different fates of Rabbah and R. Chisda despite their both being Torah giants.

²⁹ For example, if one deserves rain, but his neighbors do not, to make the individual's crops grow while the neighbors' suffer drought requires a miracle.

³⁰ R. Yaakov's position that "שְׂכַר מִצְוָה בְּהַאי עָלְמָא לֵיכָּא"  is presented in the gemara as an answer to Elisha b. Avuyah's questioning of a real life scenario, where a son who both honors his father and observes the commandment of sending away the mother bird, gets not long life as promised by the Torah, but early death!

³¹ This issue, though, might still be somewhat difficult for the Rambam who suggests that people who perform mitzvot should receive the benefits listed in Torah, even if they are not considered rewards.

³² See Theodicy – צדיק ורע לו for a full discussion.

³³ See R. Yaakov's statement in Mishnah Avot 4:16, "הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה דּוֹמֶה לִפְרוֹזְדוֹר בִּפְנֵי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא".

³⁴ The Rambam explains that the Messianic era will occur sometime in the future, in this world itself.  It will not be marked by the supernatural, but rather by a just leader, world peace and conditions which will enable people to learn and observe Torah with ease.
Rambam is a bit more ambiguous about the nature of the period of the Resurrection of the Dead.  He claims that it is a phenomenon limited to the righteous alone and appears to believe that souls will come back to life with a body, but then die again to return to עולם הבא, where they resume their purely spiritual existence and continue to enjoy this ultimate reward.  Given that Rambam believes that life in עולם הבא is the better existence, and that souls can enjoy it from the moment of death, it is not clear what he thinks is the purpose of the Resurrection.

³⁵ See AbarbanelShemot 20:11Vayikra 26:3Devarim 4:15Devarim 22:6Devarim 32 IntroductionNachalat Avot Mishna Avot 1:3About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel who discusses seven different approaches taken by his predecessors. Others, too, have made similar lists.  See R. Bachya4:4About R. Bachya ibn Pakuda, R"Y Albo4:104:114:294:304:334:394:40About R. Yosef Albo and Keli Yekar (who mainly summarizes Abarbanel's list.)

³⁶ See also Shadal in his letter to Almeda: "However, for purposes of sanction in his laws, Moses announced rewards that were earthly, natural, verifiable in this life,
and such a sanction was much more effective than one that would
have been drawn from heavenly rewards, supported by faith alone." (See Daniel Klein, "A Letter to Almeda:Shadal’s Guide for the Perplexed," Hakirah 10: 225-241 for a  translation of the full letter.)

³⁷ The Kuzari adds that among the blessings promised for this world are also spiritual ones (for instance, Vayikra 26:12 promises" "וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי בְּתוֹכְכֶם וְהָיִיתִי לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים"). When people see that even in this world, one's soul can cling to the Divine and reap spiritual rewards, they will know by a priori argument that in the spiritual world to come, their souls will surely be able to benefit similarly.

³⁸ It is not clear from a simple reading of the Mishnah and gemara what is the extent of the reward to be received. The Netziv, though, claims that the Mishnah, "׳כל העושה מצוה אחת מטיבין לו ומאריכין לו ימיו ונוחל את הארץ׳" teaches that one receives retribution for each mitzvah in both worlds.  See also Rabbenu Tam'sKiddushin 39bAbout Ba'alei HaTosafot's understanding of Abbaye's explanation of the Mishnah, "דְּעָבְדִין לֵיהּ יוֹם טָב וְיוֹם בִּישׁ", that a wicked person gets mostly punishments in this world, and an occasional good day to reward him for any good deeds that he has done (and vice versa for a righteous individual) which might suggest that he, too, thinks that this world's retribution is for all deeds.

³⁹ See, for example,  Vayikra 26:3-12, Devarim 5:25, 29, Devarim 11:8-9, 13-25 and Devarim 32:46-47.

⁴⁰ Seethe many blessings/ cures in Vayikra 26, Devarim 11, or Devarim 28 which relate to rain or drought, victory or defeat in war, plague, exile and the like

⁴¹ See, for instance, rewards of longevity for honoring parents (Shemot 20:11 and R. David Zvi HoffmannShemot 20:11About R. David Zvi Hoffmann there), sending away the mother bird (Devarim 22:6-7), or honesty in business (Devarim 25:15), Hashem's promise to punish the individual worshiper of the Molekh (Vayikra 20:1-5) and one who sleeps with his uncle (Vayikra 20:20), or blessings of prosperity for one who gives the tithe of the poor (Devarim 14:28-29) or loans to the disadvantaged (Devarim 15:7-10).

⁴² See Shemot 20:11 and Devarim 25:15.

⁴³ See the punishment of dying without children in Vayikra 20:20.

⁴⁴ See the promise of success "בְּכׇל מַעֲשֶׂךָ וּבְכֹל מִשְׁלַח יָדֶךָ" in Devarim 14:28-29 and Devarim 15:7-10.

⁴⁵ As Hashem is addressing every individual within the nation (and not speaking to one person at a time), it is natural to address them in the plural, even if the words apply to each personally.

⁴⁶ See R. SaadiaCommentary Bereshit 6:7HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 5:1HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 6:5HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 8:2HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 9:1HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 9:2About R. Saadia Gaon who notes this, and concludes from this fact that even future rewards of the next world will be for both the body and soul.

⁴⁷ Alternatively, one might suggest that even in the next world there will be some level of physical rewards, which the body and soul together will enjoy. [See the above note that this is how R. Saadia envisions the World to Come.]
R. Saadia explains that this is necessary even if one has already received similar recompense in this world, because no matter how many rewards one gets in this world, these are always accompanied by worry and tainted by outside factors, so that one can never fully enjoy them.

⁴⁸ Conversely, when good is brought to the collective, the wicked might not share in it so as to ensure that he gets his proper punishment. Thus, while rain might come to reward the righteous individual, the crops of a neighboring wicked person might nonetheless fail.

⁴⁹ His motivation in positing this appear to be a reluctance to have any evil be brought directly from God.  If sin, on its own, brings afflictions, man has no one to blame but himself when tragedy strikes.

⁵⁰ He states that in times of anger, Divine providence will only serve to protect someone if he is righteous enough to merit a miracle.

⁵¹ According to this logic, though all might be rewarded for their good deeds in this world, they might simultaneously get punishments they do not deserve (and vice versa).  Full justice, then, is not served until the World to Come.

⁵² As there are often hidden goods, or good disguised as bad, one might not recognize such blessings immediately.

⁵³ According to the Netziv, who views retribution as a natural outcome of one's deeds, one might suggest that in such cases two natural processes might be in competition with one another. If, for instance, one climbs an unstable ladder to send away the mother bird, on one hand nature dictates that he deserves a reward for observance of the mitzvah, yet on the other hand, nature simultaneously dictates that he might fall from the ladder.

⁵⁴ As Bavli Pesachim 8a-b asserts, "האומר סלע זו לצדקה בשביל שיחיה בני או שאהיה בן העוה״ב הרי זה צדיק גמור".

⁵⁵ This would appear to be the simple understanding of these sources.  It is possible, however, to explain that the Mishnah is not saying that one will be rewarded/punished by Hashem for observance of these mitzvot in this world, but only that one will reap the natural benefits/detriments of such behavior.

⁵⁶ This is the simple understanding of R. Yochanan's words, but, here too, it is possible that R. Yochanan is referring to natural consequences rather than active retribution.

⁵⁷ In his introduction to Yeshayahu, Shadal speaks about how one can only understand Tanakh if one recognizes that there is Divine providence and reward and punishment in this world.  Though he is not explicit if he is referring to the individual or only to the collective, the continuation of his comments suggest the former.  Nonetheless, it is still not clear if he assumes that the rewards of this world are meted out for all mitzvot, or only on occasion, for observance of specific mitzvot or perhaps for general upright behavior.

⁵⁸ The deeds of visiting the sick, hospitality, and prayer mentioned in Bavli Shabbat are understood to fall under the category of "loving kindness" in Mishnah Peah.

⁵⁹ He does not address how the mitzvah of learning Torah fits into this categorization.

⁶⁰ In some printed editions of Rambam's commentary, the translation reads, "יקבל כמו כן שכר מהענין ההוא", explicitly referring to the good that the individual will receive as a reward.  It R. Kapach's edition, however, he uses the term "תועלת", benefit.  If so, Rambam might simply be speaking of the natural benefits of proper interactions with the other and not real "reward".  [This reading would fit better with Rambam's overall approach to reward and punishment discussed in the second approach below.].

⁶¹ undefined

⁶² Chovot HaLevavot precedes and might have influenced the Rambam's reading of the Mishnah (though R. Bachya does not connect the idea to Peah.) R. Bachya distinguishes between "concealed" obligations of the heart (those that affect only the individual and God) and "revealed" obligations of the limbs (those that affect others as well).  Visible duties get visible rewards in this world, while concealed ones are rewarded with the hidden good of the next world. R. Bachya points to Devarim 29:28 as support, "הַנִּסְתָּרֹת לַה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְהַנִּגְלֹת לָׄנׄוּׄ וּׄלְׄבָׄנֵׄיׄנׄוּׄ עַׄד עוֹלָם".

⁶³ Though gossip would seem to be a "minor" crime, its inclusion in the list and the statement "" suggests that the Tosefta is trying to underscore how serious the sin is.

⁶⁴ These include Vayikra 26:3-12, Devarim 5:25-29, Devarim 6:1-3, Devarim 7:11-16, Devarim 11:13-25, and Devarim 28 all of which either specifically mention the nation, are worded in the plural, or speak of naturally collective retribution such as rain or war.  [See the discussion of above for elaboration.]

⁶⁵ See Devarim 14:28-29 and Devarim 15:7-10 which speak of giving the tithe of the poor and loans to the disadvantaged, Devarim 22:6-7 which mentions sending away the mother bird, and Devarim 25:15 which promises sings for honest weights in business..

⁶⁶ See Vayikra 20:1-5 which speaks of individual punishment for worshiping the Molekh and (Vayikra 20:20) whih refers to one who sleeps with his uncle.

⁶⁷ See Vayikra 20:1-5 which speaks of individual punishment for worshiping the Molekh and (Vayikra 20:20) whih refers to one who sleeps with his uncle.

⁶⁸ Since the interaction with the other is this worldly, it deserves reward here, but since the very observance of the command, an act of obedience to Hashem, is a spiritual act, it is deserving of compensation also in the next world.