Vayikra 18:4

4 Ye shall do My mishpatim, and be shomer over My chukkot, to walk therein: I am Hashem Eloheichem.

Vayikra 18:4 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 18:4

Ye shall do my judgments
Which are just and right, and according to the rules of justice and equity; these are things, as Jarchi observes, which are said in the law with judgment, or are laws framed with the highest reason, even by the judgment of God himself, whose judgment is always according to truth: Aben Ezra thinks, these are the judicial laws in ( Exodus 21:1-23:33 ) ; but though they may include them, they have more particular respect to the following laws: and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein:
which he had ordained and appointed of his own will and pleasure, which Jarchi calls the decree of the king, or which he decreed and determined as a king, having absolute power over his subjects to enact and enjoin what he pleased; wherefore some think these refer to ceremonial laws, which depended upon the will of the lawgiver, and were not founded in any natural sense or reason, wherefore it follows: I [am] the Lord your God:
who had a right to make what laws he pleased, being their Sovereign, and which they in gratitude as well as in justice ought to obey, he being their God, their covenant God, who had done great and good things for them.

Vayikra 18:4 In-Context

2 Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel, and say unto them, I am Hashem Eloheichem.
3 After what is done in Eretz Mitzrayim, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after what is done in Eretz Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their chukkot.
4 Ye shall do My mishpatim, and be shomer over My chukkot, to walk therein: I am Hashem Eloheichem.
5 Ye shall therefore be shomer over My chukkot, and My mishpatim; which if an ish do, he shall live by them: I am Hashem.
6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to legallot ervah (to uncover nakedness, i.e., incestuously dishonor); I am Hashem.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.