Philosophy of Halacha

Originally written as a devar Torah for Parshas Re'eh, 9/2/05


This is the approach of Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Berkovits in God, Man, and History.


For those who have been following along in the Chumash, readers will notice a change in content. The past sever parshiot have all been part of one long speech delivered by Moshe and the beginning of this week’s parshah, Parshat Re’eh, is the middle point of this massive sermon. However, until now, Moshe has been discussing theological concepts, specifically, the mitzvah to love and be in awe of G-d. From now until the end of this speech, Moshe will be discussing more concrete laws which run the entire gamut of Jewish life (false prophets, civil law, holidays, sacrifices, laws for going out to war, etc.) Why the change? Why do we need all these objective laws when we have the command to love G-d and to love other humans? In other words, why must I keep all these laws? Is it not enough to be a good person?

Well, for one thing, I do not know about you but I do not posses this love and fear of G-d or the love of others which the Torah describes. A good person is truly humble and selfless but I hold grudges and speak ill about other people and such actions on my part are unacceptable. So how do I become a good person?

Traditional Pauline Christianity says that you can’t, that you are damned, and that it is impossible to improve. Instead, they would tell you to accept Jesus as your lord and savior because if you don’t, since you can’t become a good person, you are going to hell forever unless you believe Jesus died for your sins. Needless, to say, we Jews do not accept this theory (for many reasons which I do not have time to get into).

Socrates and secular humanists would say that it is very easy to become a good person, that the intellect can easily control the body. There is a problem with this thesis. Imagine you wanted to become a swimmer. Secular humanists would tell you to go to college and get a PHD in swimming. How well would you swim with your PHD in swimming? Not well. While there is value in reading about swimming, if you want to swim well, you need to practice. Similarly, philosophizing about being a good person really does not work.

So what does Judaism say? We believe that humans can improve but like everything else, becoming a good person takes practice. Our actions influence our feelings. If you want to love other people, volunteer regularly for soup kitchens. Similarly, if you want to love G-d, devote your life to Him by following Jewish Law. Halacha sensitizes one and enables one to develop a relationship with G-d.

Essentially, as the Rav would put it, we are to channel our religious emotions through Halacha to develop a relationship with G-d.

Just like in a relationship with another human, the details matter. If your girlfriend says she likes 11 inch red roses, you get her 11 inch red roses, not 9 inch red roses or 11 inch white roses. G-d did not ask us to meditate in a lotus position, but rather to follow the Torah. So too, if G-d says He wants us to follow the Torah, if we want to have a real relationship with Him, we follow the Torah.