How To Seek The Creator
In Hebrew, the word most commonly used for command[ment] is ‘Mitzvah’. Through these, we may come to recognize that all of the Torah is a kind of program to cultivate a closeness with G_D.
One of the most misunderstood concepts in the Torah is the framework of laws and commandments. When viewed from a literal, or plain view, they can appear to be deeply out of touch with modern reality, thus of little import. Often, behind the simple meaning though belies a tradition of insights that make them as relevant as ever, as we will explore.
In Hebrew, the word most commonly used for command[ment] is ‘Mitzvah’. The root of this word, tzavta, connotes a meaning of ‘connecting’ or ‘together’, in this context. A similar understanding is derived from the word ‘korban’ (offering), which means to draw close. Through these, we may come to recognize that all of the Torah is a kind of program to cultivate a closeness with G_D.
We can even optimize this program when we understand that genuine intention and lack of selfishness makes a difference. As the Sages tells us;
"Whether you do a little of whether you do a lot, what matters is that your heart is directed to the heavens".
- Berachot 17a
Which is more important?
Perhaps the most important component is to understand that serving and drawing close to the Creator can be accelerated (or stunted), depending upon how we treat other people.
Rabbi Ashlag tells us that there are (2) methods of serving G_D. They are as follows;
1) Mitzvot practiced between a person and The Creator
2) Mitzvot between a person and others
While there seems to be an inherent order in these, ie, Serve G_D first, and then people - the Torah indicates the opposite. Explaining this, Rabbi Ashlag continues;
Not always do we remember that the mitzvot (commands) of not gossiping, not hating, not taking revenge - are mitzvot of just as much importance as are the ritual mitzvot between the person and G_D.
On the contrary, the mitzvot that are carried out between a person and his or her fellow have an additional value.
Here, we learn that we should be even more careful in our dealings with other people. Avoiding negative speech, gossip, and seeking to treat all humans with respect is, in fact, serving the Creator to the highest level.
