Rabbi Reuven Mann
From time to time, it is necessary to review fundamental principles of Jewish
belief. On Shavuot, we celebrate the Revelation at Sinai and the Jewish
people’s acceptance of Torah. We are thus sworn to study Torah and keep the
mitzvot (commandments). Observance of the laws is essential to fulfilling our
mission as Jews. All would agree that in any constructive endeavor
understanding the reason of the activities we are engaged in is vital to
achieving their full benefit. It is therefore necessary to ask, what is the
nature and purpose of mitzvot. This is no simple or unnecessary question. We
live in a time when mystical religious trends have become popular. They have
had an impact on Jewish religious thinkers especially the ones whose popular
writings influence the masses. The “mystics” tend to downplay the logic and
intellectuality of mitzvot. They do not view the commandments as embodiments of
wisdom, which must be studied and internalized. Rather they are seen as
“mysterious” phenomena containing “cosmic” significance and “supernatural”
power, which the reason of mortal man dare not analyze or explain. I believe it
essential to obtain clarity about this basic issue for our orientation toward
mitzvot determines how much we benefit from their performance. Thus it is
important to shed light on an ancient question: Are the mitzvot rational?
We read in the book of Psalms: "The Torah of HaShem is perfect restoring
the soul". Every mitzvah is designed solely for our benefit and leads us
to our true perfection. Whoever maintains that a mitzvah has "no
reason" (even Chukim) denies the Torah, which states "For it is not a
vain thing from you”, to which the Rabbis (Chazal) add "and if it is vain
(i.e. you find it empty) it is "from you" meaning the defect lies in
your lack of understanding. All of the great Torah sages such as Rambam,
Ramban, Avraham Even Ezra, and Saadia Gaon to name just a few, openly affirm
this principle in their works. Nachmanides, in his commentary on the Torah
(Devarim 22:6) explains that all of the mitzvot are intended for the purpose of
refining and perfecting man’s nature. Rambam in the Guide for the Perplexed
(Part III Chapter 26) says: "All of us, the common people as well as the
scholars, believe that there is a reason for every precept, although there are
commandments the reason of which is unknown to us, and in which the ways of
G-d's Wisdom are incomprehensible". Avraham Even Ezra in his commentary to
Shemot 20:1 says "and the second kind are hidden mitzvot it is not
explained why they are commanded, and heaven forbid to say that any of those
mitzvot are contrary to human reason; rather we are obliged to keep everything
which HaShem commanded whether the secret is revealed or not”). The L-rd our
G-d is True- hence everything, which comes from G-d, is true. In most cases,
with diligent study, we can discover the purpose and benefit of mitzvot; and
when we do so we must incorporate the underlying value into our personality,
for this is how we improve our soul and get closer to HaShem. However, all
mitzvot are perfectly rational even if our intelligence is too deficient to
discover the hidden wisdom of any specific one. Hence, it is rational to keep a
mitzvah that on its surface makes absolutely no sense to you. For since you
know that it comes from G-d, you know it is both rational and beneficial even
though you cannot demonstrate how. This is similar to one who follows the
advice of a great physician even though he does not understand how the medicine
works. We say that such a person is acting rationally and one who (ignorant of
medicine) refuses to take the advice of a great doctor because it makes no
sense to him is a fool. Such is the case with Torah. We know that it is true
because we know that it comes from G-d who revealed Himself on Sinai to the
entire nation in a manner which would leave no doubt to those present and to
all future generations that the Torah and it’s authentic exposition by Moses
and all subsequent Masters of The Oral Law is from G-d. Moses commanded the
people to remember the events they witnessed at Sinai as the foundation of all
Torah commandments. He never called on them to have faith that the Torah is
from G-d but only to “take heed” of what they saw with their own eyes. What
could be clearer than Devarim 4:35 "You have been shown to KNOW that
HaShem, He is the G-d, there is none beside Him". The Rambam, in the
Mishneh Torah Yesodei HaTorah Ch 8, explains that the purpose of Sinai was to
remove any possible doubt as to the Divine origin of Torah. Therefore, we do
not have faith but know that the Torah comes from G-d and is therefore perfect
and rational in every respect. As such, we keep all the mitzvot and do not
subject them to the scrutiny of our deficient intellects to determine whether
they make sense or not. That would be sheer arrogance and stupidity. Rather we
devote all our energies to uncovering the wisdom of Torah with a sense of
humility and with the guidance of our authentic sages and teachers. As the
genuine scientist knows that everything in nature has a cause and explanation
so too the genuine Ben-Torah (Torah scholar) knows that everything in Torah has
a perfect explanation and he studies diligently and endlessly and prays to G-d:
"Open thou my eyes that I may understand the wonders of your Torah".
(Psalms 119:18) As we approach the holiday of the Revelation may we merit to
incorporate it's lessons and return to HaShem and His Torah and expound it's wisdom
in a manner which will cause all who hear it to proclaim; “what a wise and
discerning nation is this great People”.
Chag Sameach to All