Bechukosai
There are three types of mitzvos:
1) Eidus – testimonies that remind us of a particular aspect of our relationship with Hashem
Eg Shabbat reminds us of creation, Pesach – the exodus etc
2) Mishpatim- ordinances or laws that make sense to our natural inborn moral sense
3) Chukim- statutes which are laws which transcend our limited human wisdom
The parsha opens with the promise of blessings for following the pathway of Torah.
If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them then …”
It is interesting to note that the Torah encapsulates the mitzvot with the term “bechukotai” (related to chukim – statutes). The Torah does not say “if you will walk in my testimonies or ordinances”
This is because at the heart of every mitvzah even the testimonies and ordinances that make sense to our minds and hearts is a Chok- a statute that transcends reason.
Whilst we should and are even commanded to learn Torah and uncover spiritual depths of Hashem’s wisdom, nevertheless at the same time the motivating factor for observing and guarding the Mitzvot is because Hashem so willed it.
This approach to Mitzvot is the truest as it reflects our essential relationship and bond with Hashem that is not dependent on anything external.
I am not serving God because I understand the mitvzah as this is actually self serving.
Rather my observance flows from the essential connection between my Divine soul and God.
The wise son in the Haggadah famously asks “what are the testimonies statutes and ordinances etc?”.
He is wise because he differentiates the Mitzvot into the different categories. He is certainly hungry for knowledge and to be praised for his desire to learn. But his intellectualism can also be a trap leading him to serve God based on his understanding.
This could then even lead to a rejection of aspects of Judaism that don’t make sense to him at that moment. That could be why the Haggadah places the wise son next to the wicked son; to remind him of the dangers of serving Hashem out of intellect only. The Haggadah answers the wise son “and even you shall tell him that we don’t taste anything after the Passover offering”. The Passover sacrifice represents a Jews total unswerving commitment and loyal to God that derives from the Divine Soul. This level of commitment transcends reason. It is this lesson that should be the last taste lingering in the mouth of the wise son.
May we merit to serve Hashem for the purest of reasons which ultimately leads to the blessings outlined in this weeks Parsha. When we serve Hashem for no other reason than our loyalty to God then this itself generates a joy (simcha) that enables us to see the blessings in our life no matter the challenges.
Shabbat Shalom!