The mitzvot that appear in this Torah portion relate to all areas of a person’s life: his house, his garments, his body, and his property. The Sages therefore teach that mitzvot always accompany a person. Everywhere he goes, in any situation in which he is found, he will be surrounded by mitzvot.

Rabbi Pinhas bar Hama said: Anywhere you go, mitzvot accompany you. “If you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof” (Deuteronomy 22:8). If you make a doorway for yourself, mitzvot accompany you, as it is stated: “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house” (6:9). If you wear new garments, mitzvot accompany you, as it is stated: “You shall not wear a mixture of fibers, wool and linen together” (22:11). If you go to get a haircut, mitzvot accompany you, as it is stated: “You shall not round the edge of your head” (Leviticus 19:27).

If you have a field and go to plow it, mitzvot accompany you, as it is stated: “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (22:10). If you sow the field, mitzvot accompany you, as it is stated: “You shall not sow your vineyard with diverse kinds” (22:9). If you reap it, mitzvot accompany you, as it is stated: “When you reap your harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not return to take it; for the stranger, the orphan, and the widow it shall be” (24:19).

The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Even if you do not engage in any activity, but merely walk along the way, mitzvot accompany you. From where is that derived? It is derived from a verse, as it is stated: “If a bird’s nest will happen before you on the way…. You shall send away the mother, and take the offspring for yourself” (22:6–7). (Devarim Rabba 6)