12

To cleave to those who know Him

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Community – קְהִלָּה

We are commanded to be close to the wise and to associate with them.

This mitzvah commands us to cleave to Hashem, which the Sages explain as connecting to those who embody His wisdom and service — Torah scholars, the righteous, and teachers of truth. By learning from them, serving them, and following their guidance, we grow closer to Hashem Himself. Cleaving also means imitating their conduct, fostering humility, wisdom, and holiness in our own lives.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot De’ot 6:2): One fulfills this mitzvah by attaching to Torah scholars — marrying their daughters, conducting business with them, and learning from their ways.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 434): The command strengthens our bond with Hashem through connection to His devoted servants.
  • Talmud (Ketubot 111b): Interprets “to cleave to Him” as clinging to Torah scholars, for through them one becomes bound to Hashem.
(Source: Chabad.org)
אֶת־יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ תִּירָ֖א אֹת֣וֹ תַעֲבֹ֑ד וּב֣וֹ תִדְבָּ֔ק וּבִשְׁמ֖וֹ תִּשָּׁבֵֽעַ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב
Deuteronomy 10:20: You shall fear the Lord, your God, worship Him, and cleave to Him and swear by His Name.

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