The mitzvot of Eikev

To not derive benefit from the coverings of idolatry and from its auxiliaries

Negative · Deuteronomy 7:25

The mitzvah is meant to keep far away anything to do with idolatry and everything attached to it. Therefore it is forbidden to benefit even from the overlay on an idol, for the foolish set their eyes on it.

To not benefit from an offering to idolatry

Negative · Deuteronomy 7:26

The mitzvah comes to distance us from anything connected with loathsome idolatry, to the point that even benefiting from what was offered to it is forbidden. The author of the Chinuch adds that this also includes not adding to one's honest wealth money gained by robbery or interest, for there is no blessing in such money, and it consumes the rest along with it.

To bless God after eating food

Positive · Deuteronomy 8:8

Our blessings add nothing to God, for all blessing and good are His. When we say "Blessed are You" we acknowledge that He is the source of all blessings and rouse our souls to know it, and by virtue of this awakening we merit that He draw His blessing upon us, for He desires to do good to His creatures. And after we have eaten and are satisfied it is fitting to thank Him, so that we are not like a servant who received a portion from his master and went off without taking leave.

The commandment of loving the strangers

Positive · Deuteronomy 10:19

God chose Israel to be His holy people, so He guided them in the ways of kindness and compassion, that they find favour in the eyes of all who see them and people say of them, these are God's people. And how fine it is to show kindness to one who left his people and his father's and mother's house and came to shelter in the shade of another people, out of love for it and out of choosing the truth. When we attain such good qualities, God's goodness rests upon us and clings to us.

The commandment of fearing God

Positive · Deuteronomy 10:20

The root of this mitzvah is plain to all - the greatest safeguard against sin is fear of punishment. One who remembers, when a transgression comes within his reach, that God watches over all the deeds of mankind, will master his inclination and keep away from it.

The commandment of prayer

Positive · Deuteronomy 10:20

Good things and blessings come upon people according to their deeds and the goodness of their hearts, and God, who desires their good, opened for them a way to obtain all their wishes - that they ask them of Him, in whose hand it is to fill every lack. Besides obtaining what we ask, there is merit in prayer itself, for through it we rouse our spirit and fix in our hearts that He is the good Master, whose eyes are open to all our ways and who hears our cry at every moment. In this way our faith in His kingship and His power grows strong, without any doubt.

To cling to Torah sages

Positive · Deuteronomy 10:20

The root of this mitzvah is plain - that we learn to know God's ways. One who attaches himself to Torah sages and learns from their deeds will not quickly sin, as King Shlomo said, he who walks with the wise grows wise.

To swear in His name, may He be blessed, truthfully

Positive · Deuteronomy 10:20

When we confirm our words by God's great name, faith in Him and in His providence over us and over all our words grows strong in our hearts. An oath by His name testifies that nothing is as enduring and faithful as He is, so one may swear by Him only in truth.