What are the connotations of "Acharei Hashem Elokeichem Teileichu!"? How is it possible to go after Hashem, who is a consuming fire? See Torah Temimah, note 4.
Rashi (in Sotah, 14a) and Seforno 1 : It means that one should go in Hashem's ways, by performing acts of Chesed. - such as burying the dead and visiting the sick. 2
Ramban #1: It is the Mitzvah of seeking advice from Hashem exclusively - via a Navi 3 (or via the Urim ve'Tumim).
Ramban #2 (citing the Sifri): It refers to the Cloud that led Yisrael in the desert. 4
Seforno: It means 'You should follow the ways of Hashem' 5 and not the ways dictated by the prophet or the dreamer who comes to take you away from the right path.
Targum Onkelos: It means 'You should pursue the fear of Hashem'.
Targum Yonasan: It means 'You should pursue the service of Hashem'.
Sotah, 39b: It teaches us that one is forbidden to leave Shul before the Seifer Torah has been returned to its place. 6
Sifri: "Acharei Hashem Elokeichem Teileichu" is a Mitzvas Asei, "ve'Oso Sira'u", a Mitzvas Lo Sa'aseh - and so is "ve'es Mitzvosav Tishmoru".
Just as Hashem did regarding Moshe (ve'Zos ha'Berachah Devarim, 34:6) and Avraham (Vayeira Bereishis, 18:1), respectively. See Torah Temimah, note 5, citing Sotah (Ibid.), who adds clothing the naked and comforting the mourners - as Hashem did regarding Adam and Chavah (Bereishis, 3:21) and Yitzchak (Chayei Sarah Bereishis, 25:11), respectively.
Ramban: As we find on numerous occasions throughout Tanach - See for example Bereishis, 25:22, Sh'mos, 18:15 and Melachim 2, 3:11.
Ramban: Which is really synonymous with the first explanation - in that it implies following the advice of Hashem and obeying His instructions.
Seforno: See 28:9 (See also Seifer ha'Chinuch, Mitzvah 611).
See Torah Temiah, note 6, who elaborates.
What are the connotations of "ve'Oso Sira'u"?
Ramban: It means that one is obligated to believe that Hashem holds the life of all living creatures in His Hand, that He controls life and death, that He punishes those who sin and rewards those who perform His Mitzvos.
Seforno: Even though the Navi Sheker is a strong and influentisl person, Beis-Din should negate their fear of him before the fear of Hashem and put him to death.
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means literally 'Fear Hashem'.
Sifri: Refer to 13:5:1:7.
What is the difference between "Mitzvosav Tishmoru", "be'Kolo Sishma'u" and "Oso Sa'avodu"?
Rashi: They refer to observing the Torah of Moshe, obeying the instructions of the prophets and serving Hashem in the Beis-Hamikdash, respectively.
Ramban: "Mitzvosav Tishmoru" refers to observing the Torah of Moshe, and "be'Kolo Sishma'u", to obeying whatever else he commands us. 1 For "Oso Sa'avodu", refer to 6:13:3:1-3.
Seforno: "u've'Kolo Sishma'u" - You should listen to His voice when He commands you via His prophets to keep His Mitzvos and to sanctify His Name, 2 but not to the voice of this man who comes to nullify all the Mitzvos of Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu. "ve'Oso Sa'avodu" - To worship Hashem alone. 3
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: They refer to keeping Hashem's Mitzvos, obeying His instructions and serving Him (via Tefilah - Targum Yonasan).
Sifri: "Be'Kolo Tishma'u" means 'Listen to the voice of the Neve'im and "Oso Sa'avodu" means 'serve Him in the Beis-Hamikdash'. 4
Ramban: As in Shoftim, 18:16 & 19.
Seforno: Such as Eliyahu on Har ha'Carmel.
Seforno: As the Torah wrote in Mishpatim Sh'mos, 22:19 - "Zoveach la'Elohim Yochoram!"
See Torah Temimah, note 8.
Having already stated "Es Hashem Elokecha Tira ve'Oso Sa'avod" in Devarim 6:13, why does the Torah repeat it here?
Ramban #1 and Seforno: To emphasize that one's fear of Hashem should negate one's fear of the false prophet with the miracles that he wrought. 1
Ramban #2: In order to add "u've'Kolo Sishma'u".
Seforno: And that one should sentence him to death in spite of his importance and awesomeness.
How does one fulfill the Mitzvah of "u'Vo Sidbakun"?
Rashi #1: By going in Hashem's ways - by performing acts of Chesed. 1
Seforno: Everything that you do should be with the intention of performing Hashem's will - that your hatred of the false prophet should not be based on a previous fall-out with him.
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: By coming close to the fear of Hashem.
Sifri: By separating from Avodas-Kochavim and cleaving to Hashem. 2
Oznayim la'Torah (according to Rashi in Sotah): With reference to the beginning of the Pasuk "Acharei Hashem Elokeichem Teileichu" it means that one should Daven with Deveikus (devotion).
Refer to 11:22:4:1-7.
Why does the Torah insert this Pasuk here?
