Faith in Mitzvot

(A beheima tehorah is a kosher animal. A beheima temeiah is a non-kosher animal.)

Kosher animals symbolize kosher faith; non-kosher animal symbolize non- kosher faith. In the times of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) the bekhor (first born) of a kosher species was brought as a sacrifice. To be fit to be sacrificed the bekhor had to be perfect and whole, without blemish. This perfection and wholeness, temimut in Hebrew, stands for holy faith.

'Rebbe Nachman teaches (Likutey MoHaran I, Lesson #31) that the perfection of any endeavor in Judaism is dependent upon the faith invested in it. Even Torah can be perfect only if it is with holy faith. In fact, only faith can be perfect.

'The reason for this is that nothing can be totally and absolutely comprehended. Even if someone understands one of the kavanot (mystical intentions) of the Arizal and performs a mitzvah solely on the basis of that intention his performance will be lacking. For even if he fully grasped that intention, are there not 70 'facesÓ to the Torah, each of which contains thousands upon thousands of interpretations?! No tzaddik in the world can fully understand even one mitzvah! A 'single-mindedÓ mitzvah will be sorely lacking.

'So faith is a necessity. One needs to perform mitzvot with faith: God commanded us to perform the mitzvot because that's what He wants, for His reasons, because He wants whatever it is that He wants. When one performs a mitzvah with this intention–I'm doing it because that's what God wants–all the kavanot in the world are included and the mitzvah is performed with the ultimate perfection.

'Therefore, even one who has intellectually grasped some of the kavanot has to infuse his mitzvah performance with faith in order for it to be perfect. If he relies only on his intelligence it will be imperfect.

'For this reason it is forbidden to derive any new law or practice if it is based on the Arizal's kavanot. One who is capable of doing so may interpret and explain them anew. However he may not derive any new law or practice based on his interpretations. Torah law and practice must be based and clarified solely on the basis of the Talmud and Shulchan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law).

'God forbid that we should rely on our interpretation and understanding of the kavanot or secrets of Kabbalah, EVEN TO BE STRICTER THAN JEWISH LAW DEMANDS [emphasis added - translator]. Even to add extra stringencies, beyond what God and our Sages have commanded us, is forbidden. For even if one is strict in a particular case, he is setting up his own eventual downfall. In determination and performance of mitzvot one must rely solely on the faith our Sages have taught us.Ó

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!