At first glance, the listing of the mitzvot that appear in this Torah portion seems random. The Sages explain that the order is well constructed: It expresses the idea that one transgression will lead to another transgression and to further punishment, and likewise, one mitzva leads to another mitzva and to further reward.

The Sages taught: The performance of one mitzva leads to the performance of another mitzva and the violation of one prohibition leads to the violation of another prohibition. The verse first states: “And you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you desire her…and she shall shave her head, and she shall do her nails” (Deuteronomy 21:11–12). She must do this so that she will not find favor in his eyes. What is written after that? “If a man will have two wives” (21:15); when there are two wives in the house, there is contentiousness in the house. Moreover, the result will be that there will be “the one beloved and the one hated” (21:15), or [that] both of them will be hated, but they will not both be loved. What is written after that? “If a man will have a defiant and rebellious son” (21:18).

The ordering of these verses teaches that for anyone who marries a beautiful captive woman, a defiant and rebellious son will emerge from him, as it is written regarding David: Because he desired Maakha daughter of Talmai king of Geshur when he went out to war, Avshalom emerged from him….

The performance of one mitzva leads to the performance of another mitzva. From where is that derived? The verse first states: “If a bird’s nest will happen before you…You shall send away the mother, and take the offspring for yourself” (22:6–7). What is written after that? “If you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof” (22:8). You will be privileged to build a new house and make a parapet. What is written after that? “You shall not sow your vineyard with diverse kinds” (22:9). You will be privileged to have a vineyard and to sow a field. What is written after that? “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (22:10). You will be privileged to acquire oxen and donkeys. What is written after that? “You shall not wear a mixture of fibers, wool and linen together” (22:11). You will be privileged to acquire fine woolen garments and fine linen garments. What is written after that? “You shall make for yourself twisted threads on the four corners of your garment” (22:12). You will be privileged to fulfill the mitzva of ritual fringes. What is written after that? “If a man will take a wife” (22:13). You will be privileged to marry a wife and father children.

We have learned that the performance of one mitzva leads to the performance of another mitzva and the violation of one prohibition leads to the violation of another prohibition; that is why all these passages are juxtaposed to each other. (Tanĥuma, Ki Tetze)