"It
is a fundamental principle of the Torah that in order to merit eternal
life in the World to Come a person must fulfill at least one mitzvah
properly with complete devotion to God. This mitzvah must be performed
without incorporating in it any personal interest in the observance,
intending it only fulfill God will with love."
-- Rambam, Peirush HaMishnayot, Makkot 3:16
The Rambam is commenting on the following mishnah:
"Rabbi Chananaia ben of Akashya says: The Holy One, Blessed is He, wanted to confer merit upon Israel, therefore he gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance. As it says, 'Hashem desired for the sake of Israel's righteousness, that the Torah be expanded and strengthened.' (Isaiah 42:21)." -- Mishnah, Makkot 3:16
One should clarify Rambam's conception: "... performed without incorporating in it any personal interest..." This would be negated should one be performing the mitzvah with the intention to "merit eternal life in the World to Come."
-- Rambam, Peirush HaMishnayot, Makkot 3:16
The Rambam is commenting on the following mishnah:
"Rabbi Chananaia ben of Akashya says: The Holy One, Blessed is He, wanted to confer merit upon Israel, therefore he gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance. As it says, 'Hashem desired for the sake of Israel's righteousness, that the Torah be expanded and strengthened.' (Isaiah 42:21)." -- Mishnah, Makkot 3:16
One should clarify Rambam's conception: "... performed without incorporating in it any personal interest..." This would be negated should one be performing the mitzvah with the intention to "merit eternal life in the World to Come."
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