Often, we tend to overlook things when they are short in nature and thereby they seemingly slip our minds without us giving it the necessary attention that it deserves. In Parshat Shoftim (Devarim, Perek 18) there is a short five word Pasuk which reads “Tamim Tiheye Im Hashem Elokeichem''. This Pasuk, although short in nature, is important that it should not be overlooked as it is a crucially important pasuk in order to strengthen our relationship with Hashem.
Rashi’s Peshat on the meaning of that phrase is that when it says “Tamim Tiheye Im Hashem Elokeichem'', it really means to “HitHalech Imo Betimimot” - to walk before Hashem whole heartedly. Rashi goes on to say that one should not investigate the future and one should accept it wholeheartedly and then and only then will he be with Hashem and become “a portion of Hashem”. Now this last part of Rashi truly packs a punch as from this short 5 word pasuk, it gives the instructions for how to be a part of Hashem and in order for one to truly be with Hashem, one must be “Tamim”. Interestingly we see this word of “Tamim” describe Noach, one of the biggest leaders and active followers of Hashem, no matter what was thrown at him. The Seforno comments that when the Pasuk describes Noach as “Tamim”, it means that Noach was basically perfect and this is the reason as to why Hashem found “Chen”, favor for Noach, more so than anyone else in his generation. Additionally, the Chizkuni comments on the Pasuk in Shoftim and states that in order for one to follow “Tamim Tiheye Im Hashem Elokeichem”, one must have a complete relationship with Hashem and not flirt with any alternatives. Chizkuni follows by contrasting this with the “Garei Ariyot”, who professed to serve a Jewish way of life but without completely abandoning their other religion. Because these “Garie Ariyot” did not completely follow in the ways of Hashem, they did not fulfill “Tamim” and thus subsequently became victims of the lions invading their part of Israel. On the other hand, Avraham, whose own father sold idols and worshipped others Gods, completely dissociated himself from the other religions of the world and thus one should take an Avraham approach to fulfill “Tamim”.
Additionally the Alshich comments that for one to be “Tamim” with Hashem one must act in accordance with Hashem’s manner and way he wants one to act even when no one is around. Additionally Rav Twerski states that Tamim means a state of perfection. All these characteristics by many of the Mefarshim come to illustrate an image for us on what fulfilling this mitzvah of “Tamim” looks like and also more generally, what being a Tzadik truly looks like, being perfect, both in public and private, and ultimately completely following in the ways of Hashem, just as both Noach and Avraham have illustrated.