אור החיים — את ה' האמרת... וה' האמירך

Q — Verses 17-19 list six excellences by which Israel 'exalts' God and six by which God 'exalts' Israel. But 'keeping the mitzvot' appears on both lists — Israel exalts God by keeping mitzvot, and God exalts Israel by keeping mitzvot. Why does mitzvah-observance appear among the things God does for Israel?

A — Or HaChaim notes that mitzvah-observance clearly belongs among the ways Israel honors God ('nachat ruach before Me'), so its appearance among God's exaltations of Israel requires explanation. He answers that Israel's very glory and elevation is the fact that God raised and exalted them by giving them all the mitzvot — a gift granted to no other nation. The privilege of being commanded is itself the honor God bestows; the capacity to serve through mitzvot is Israel's crown.