One of the primary goals of a human being is to study the words of Torah, its Mitzvos, and its way of thinking. Through this study we strive to maintain a close relationship with G-d. The Torah and its teachings are seen as the love letter between G-d and Man, as well as the instruction manual as to how to successfully live our lives. Among the fascinating studies within Torah is a body of literature focused on explanations for the Mitzvos. As the Sefer Hachinuch repeatedly writes, “A human being is affected by what he does.” By doing good things a person becomes a better person. The purpose of Mitzvos is to guide us to do good things and avoid the bad.

Sometimes, an activity that we think is good, may be defined by the Torah as a bad choice. Part of studying Torah is to pay attention to topics that our initial reaction differs from what the Torah seems to be instructing. Our task is to strive to understand what guidance the Torah is providing and to incorporate that wisdom in our lives. Care must be taken not to think that Torah must fit our line of thinking. Rather, Torah study is approached with reverence, like a student approaches a revered mentor, expecting to receive guidance and instruction.

Taamei Hamitzvos

By Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen

As much as we try to explore “taamei hamitzvos” insights into the mitzvos, we are aware that a fundamental principle of the Torah is that we follow Hashem’s will without making calculating things to meet our own logic. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt’l writes that this was Korach’s mistake in his theological attacks against Moshe Rabbeinu. Korach attempted to expose the fallacy of the mitzvos of tzitzis and mezuza by showing their illogical nature. Korach argued that the reason for wearing a thread of techeiles on each corner is because “it resembles the sea, which resembles the sky, which resembles the Throne of Glory.” Based on this reasoning Korach argued that one who wears a garment of techeiles should not need a thread of it on its corner because there is ample reminder of the sea, sky, and the throne of glory in the actual garment. In reality, however, the mitzvah applies in all cases, even where the given reason has no apparent application. Ultimately all mitzvos must be observed even if their reason or applicability does not make sense to us.

In light of this principle, a difficulty arises: Many of the greatest Torah scholars such as the Rambam, Sefer HaChinuch and, more recently, Rav Hirsch zt”l went to great lengths to explain taamei hamitzvos – insights into the mitzvos. Yet it is clear from the commentaries that the ultimate reason behind each mitzvah is beyond human understanding. How can anyone claim to understand the reason for any mitzvah, if such topics are really only the wisdom of the Divine, and are beyond human understanding.

My Rebbe answers that the commentaries are not claiming to understand the ultimate reason behind the mitzvah, as we cannot understand the ultimate reason for any mitzvah. However, taamei hamitzvos still have great value. This is because Hashem, in his infinite wisdom, arranged it such that each mitzvah makes sense on many different levels. Although on some levels the reasons for mitzvos elude us, it is easy for us to see how mitzvos help guide a person to develop desirable character traits and to enhance relationships.

The laws of tumah and tahara (ritual imurity), for example, are among the most difficult to fathom. However, even today, we can easily appreciate that taharas mishpacha (laws of ritual family purity), has obvious benefits. As the Talmud points out, it is very beneficial for husband and wife to separate for a certain time every month so that they maintain excitement in the relationship (Niddah 31b). This does not mean that we observe taharas mishpacha to enhance one’s relationship. Nevertheless it does enable us to see one level of meaning to the mitzvah.

Another example of this approach to taamei hamitzvos is the reasoning given to the mitzvah of shechita. The Ramban writes that we may not appreciate what difference it makes Hashem whether we kill an animal by shechita, or by strangling. However, we can appreciate that Hashem instructed us to kill the animal in the least cruel way in order to teach us the character trait of rachmanus (mercy); even at the time of killing an animal we must do so quickly and in a way that minimizes pain. Again this does not mean that we slaughter animals because it will help us be more merciful. Rather, we do it that way because Hashem commanded us to. But it is true that on one level, Hashem intended for us to develop favorable character traits by observing this mitzvah.

Learning from the taamei hamitzvos is not merely beneficial, it is actually essential to one’s relationship with Hashem. The Ramban in the end of Parshas Bo (13:16) explains why there are so many mitzvos that relate to Yetzias Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt). He says that the purpose of such mitzvos is to instill in us a deep sense of emuna (belief) in Hashem and His ongoing relationship and influence in the world. Thus, it is not sufficient merely to put a mezuza on the doorposts of one home. When we see the mezuza we are supposed to be reminded of its message: That G-d is One. He is the creator; He is the one who redeemed us from Egypt; and He is the one that continues to guide our lives and all of creation. Thus, if a person performs mitzvos out of habit, although he may have technically fulfilled them, he has not utilized them to achieve their purpose of bringing us closer to Hashem.

There are many commentaries who delve into the messages and insights of the mitzvos. These include: Sefer Hachinuch, Rav Hirsch,and Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. We must keep in mind that we observe mitzvos not because the “reasons” make sense to us, but rather because they are commnadments from Hashem. But the taamei hamitzvos enehnace our appreciation of the mitzvah at least on one level, and enable us to “get the message” of how the mitzvah is designed to enhance our relationship with Hashem. All the mitzvos have internal messages – it is up to us to learn more about them and discover their inner message.

Adapted with permission by TEACH613™, © 2014