The “Why” of Mitzvot

Learning from the Events of the World 
 

Everything a yid sees, experiences, or hears in this world carries with it a lesson, a message that he must apply to his avodat Hashem (service to Hashem). The Maggid of Mezeritch, zt”l, taught that even when there is a war between nations, there is a critical lesson that needs to be applied to the avodah of the yidden. 
 

Therefore, when you see a more powerful, capable, larger army of a world power being defeated by the army of a smaller nation with far fewer resources, it is appropriate to contemplate and ponder: what is the lesson from these events that can be applied to your avodat Hashem.  
 

Napoleon  

In 1812, Napoleon conquered a large portion of Europe. However, it was not enough for him. Drunk on his desire to rule over more nations, he set his sights on Russia. 
 

The opinions of the tsaddikim of that generation were split. Some felt they should pray for the success of Napoleon while others felt they needed to side with the Tzar. At the root of their disagreement was a fundamental question: should the physical or the spiritual well-being of European Jewry take precedence? Napoleon would allow the Jews to live in relative peace, however, the culture of his movement would threaten the Torah communities demanding reformation and “enlightenment”. On the other hand, the Russian Tzar, despite the physical risks, was far less interested in reforming the Torah lifestyle within the Jewish communities. 
 

When they sought guidance from the great Tzadik, Reb Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, zt”l, he replied that he did not want to give an opinion on which ruler to pray for. However, the Rebbe noted, that if it would go on the natural course, it seemed that the French would lose. 
 

The Rebbe explained: The French soldiers were being sent to wage an unprovoked war on foreign lands in a far-off country. They did not even know the reason they were there. Therefore, they would fight without passion or even a desire to win. The Russians, on the other hand, would be defending their own lands from a foreign invasion that was coming to take what was theirs. They would be fighting with passion and self-sacrifice. They will desire to win at all costs. Therefore, the smaller Russian army was sure to defeat the larger, more equipped French. 
 

Reb Bunim’s words proved truthful, when the Russians, fueled with a passion to defend their homeland, beat back the French invasion. 
 

When tsaddikim heard the words of Reb Bunim, they noted that we need to learn a lesson for our avodat Hashem from the war between the French and Russians: A yid needs to understand and think about the meaning behind the mitzvot, to learn the reasons behind the mitzvot, and, through that process, awaken a deep desire and passion for performing the mitzvot. That desire and passion would help the yidden defeat their eternal and well-equipped adversary: the yetzer hara. 
 

This lesson is even more applicable today when we see the yidden, the soldiers in Hashem’s army, in constant battle with an ever increasingly powerful yetzer hara. In those days, you need to spend even more time learning the fundamental ideas behind Torah and mitzvot, gain a deeper appreciation for your relationship with Hashem, so that you can awaken a passion deep inside your being, that can expel the temptations of the yetzer hara.  
 

Not Just the How but the Why  

There are many people who are struggling with their Yiddishkeit, who have questions about their Judaism. They seek answers. However, in some cases, they are told by some people to stop asking questions and just believe. However, they do not want to be part of a religion that does not allow questions or that answers every difficult question with, “just have faith.” Therefore, disillusioned and unengaged, they simply live a lifestyle that is governed by the desires of their heart. 
 

This is a mistake. Yiddishkeit requires asking questions as it says, “know the God of your father and worship Him.” (Divrei Hayamim I 28:9). You have an obligation to know and understand Yiddishkeit. You cannot accomplish that without asking questions. 
 

That being said, a person is commanded to observe Torah and perform all the mitzvot even if he has not been able to learn the reasoning behind them yet. That process takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. A yid cannot wait for that. He must perform the mitzvot with a sense of urgency fueled by a simple emuna, faith. 
 

An analogy is when a person is ill and a doctor prescribes a particular course of treatment, they do not hesitate and try to understand the reasoning behind the treatment. They comply immediately because their health, their very life, might be at risk. So too, the mitzvot is your “course of treatment” to strive in this world spiritually and physically. You cannot wait to be fluent in all their reasons. You must immediately begin your treatments, performing the mitzvot. 
 

However, Hashem does not want you to remain in that stage forever. He wants you to learn the deeper meaning behind the mitzvot, to understand the “why”. From that knowledge comes an intense love, desire, and joy in fulfilling the mitzvot. 

You Need the Flavor  

The seforim explain that the Hebrew word “Ta’am” (טעם) has two meanings. Firstly, it can mean “reason”. Secondly, it can mean “taste”, a flavor. Through understanding the “taיam”, the reason for the mitzvot, you can have a “taste” and “flavor” for them. 
 

A person eats food to survive, even when it is not tasty. However, when the food is delicious and has an incredible taste, they look forward to that meal. They will enjoy the food. And they will eat more food than they need to survive. So too, when a yid understands the reasons for the mitzvot, when he focuses on what a mitzvah accomplishes in this world as well as the upper worlds, they will look forward to performing mitzvot, performing them with a true joy. They will look forward to doing even more than they are obligated to do. 

Questions…And Faith  

Some people are worried that when a yid focuses on understanding the reasons for the mitzvot, he will abandon a mitzvah which he cannot understand. But, the Bnei Yissachar explains this clearly in Derech Pekudecha (Mitzvah 21) as in his other seforim, that the sages have taught, that you must seek the reasons for the mitzvot, while keeping in mind that every mitzvah has a few reasons, and it is impossible for you to know every reason behind every mitzvah. Therefore, you cannot refrain from performing a mitzvah because you do not understand it or its reasons. 
 

When my ancestor, Reb Yitzchak Isaac of Kamarana, zt”l, was writing his book on the reasons for the mitzvot titled “Otzer HaChaim“, there were some who tried to dissuade him from revealing the secrets behind the mitzvot. However, he did not listen, and he published his work, explaining that we have a responsibility to understand the reasons behind the mitzvot. 

The Theme of Pesach  

We can now understand why there are so many traditions and behaviors at the Pesach Seder instituted to inspire the children to ask questions. You need to train your children to ask questions. You need to teach them that there are answers to those questions. This obligation applies to every child even the one who “does not know how to ask”. 
 

This is also why we answer each of the questions at the Seder with an explanation of the mitzvot performed at the Seder like matzah and maror. 
 

This is the fundamental idea behind the Seder, the start of the “Holiday of Faith” that celebrates the transformation of the Jewish people from a nation to Hashem’s nation. On Pesach night, we teach the yidden this foundational concept in Yiddishkeit: you need to have faith while deepening your understanding of the mitzvot, everyone according to their ability. 
 

Through this understanding, you will be able to serve Hashem with passion and joy. Through that joy you will merit a life filled with blessings, success, and true happiness. Amen.  

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years, and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. You can sign up at www.kaalov.org.