Seeing as "v'Es Mitzvosai Tishmeru" refers to the fulfillment of Mitzvos, what does "Im Bechukosai Teilechu" mean?
Rashi: It means 'If You will study My Torah diligently'. 1
Seforno, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: 'Chukos' 2 are royal decrees (statutes) that one keeps as one goes about one daily life. 3
See also Ba'al ha'Turim.
It is synonymous with 'Chukim'.
Seforno: Hence the Torah uses the word "Teilechu" - as in 18:4 and in Yechezkel, 33:15.
What is therefore the sequence of the three phrases in the Pasuk?
Rashi: 'If you will study the Torah diligently with the intention of fulfilling its Mitzvos, and you will then go on to actually fulfill them.'
Seforno: If you will go in Hashem's statutes, and delve into His Mitzvos 1 to observe them with great care, you will succeed in fulfilling them to perfection, willingly, out of love, 2 and not like someone who is commanded and who does it out of fear. 3
Seforno: As the Chachamim said on the Pasuk in Devarim, (12:28) "Shemor" - 'This is Mishnah'.
Seforno: As the Mishnah says in Avos, 2:4 'do His will like your will!'
See Seforno.
Why was this taught after Shabbos and idolatry?
Moshav Zekenim: Shabbos and idolatry are equal to all the Mitzvos. When people went to collect Manna on Shabbos, it says "Me'antem Lishmor Mitzvosai" (Shemos 16:28). It says about idolatry "Sishgu v'Lo Sa'asu Es Kol ha'Mitzvos" (Bamidbar 15:22).
