ADOPT A MITZVAH
Every society has its norms and its mores. There are manners of behavior that are expected and there are some that are mandated. In America it is expected that you return a smile back to the one who smiles at you. You are obligated to pay your bills on time and can anticipate a fine for paying late. These define a society.
In this week’s Parsha, Mishpatim, we are given a large list of mitzvos which at first glance seem pretty much the same as what every society has. However, this is not the case. Let us attempt to distinguish how the mitzvos of HaShem are distinctly different from these societal conventions.
Our Sages instituted injunctions for the purpose of safeguarding the mitzvos. In describing how these Rabbinic injunctions are an integral part of Torah, Maharal compares them to the safeguards that nature places on the sensitive organs of the body. Take for example, the eyelids which are there to protect the eyes. Although they are distinct from the eye, they are nevertheless, part and parcel of the body. So too, the laws instituted by our Sages to protect the mitzvos are part and parcel of the Torah.
How does Maharal compare the eyelids which protect the eyes to the Rabbinic injunctions which protect the people from transgressing the mitzvos. The eyelids protect the eye and are naturally part of the body. The mitzvos, however, are simply instructions. Are they harmed if the people transgress them? The Rabbinic injunctions were designed to protect us, the people of the Torah, from transgressing the mitzvos.
Maharal is opening a window through which we can appreciate what a mitzvah is. Mitzvos are not instructions. Instructions do not have an existence of their own. They do not need to be fed and cared for. They are simply instructions which exist whether or not they are followed.
Mitzvos, on the other hand, do have an existence of their own. In fact, our Sages teach us that the mitzvos correspond to the different parts of the human body. If the eye exists then the mitzvah corresponding to the eye exists. The welfare of our mitzvos are dependent upon our observance of them. Just as when we abuse our eyes they suffer, so too, when we abuse our mitzvos they suffer. The injunctions to protect us from transgressing the mitzvos were designed to protect the mitzvos as much as they protect us.
If we take this notion one step further, we will discover how we can actually build a relationship with the mitzvos we do. We can adopt a mitzvah to be our special mitzvah. When a mitzvah is done with special attention, we actually beautify the mitzvah. Yes, the mitzvah itself, the one that we created is beautified and adorned with all the intentions we place on it. People like to adopt pets. It adds life to the home. They become part of the family and can even contribute love and affection. Once we can gain this appreciation of mitzvos, we can adopt a mitzvah. It will add life to the home and even contribute love and affection to the home.
May we merit to tend to all of our mitzvos with the greatest of care.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind