"I Want to Keep Commandments, But Where to Start?": Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky's Answer

Many Jews who are in the early stages of observing Torah and commandments, often face a challenging question: At which commandment should they begin?

One of those involved in outreach approached the esteemed Torah sage Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky with this question, and received the following response: "Tell them that first of all they should observe Shabbat! For we have learned that one who desecrates the Shabbat is as if they worship idols, and Shabbat is equivalent to all the commandments [Rashi, Parashat Shlach, Chapter 15, Verse 41], and it is appropriate to start with observing Shabbat."

Oren completed many years of study. Dedication, repetition, exams, and papers came to an end. In a grand event, Oren became "Dr. Oren," and from that day on, he was a specialist in orthopedics. On the very next day, Oren opened the private clinic he had dreamed of during the long years of study and began to wait for patients to start filling his new appointment book. Day after day, week after week, and even a month went by, and Dr. Oren continued to wait and hope for callers who, to his great disappointment, did not show up. "What am I missing?" Oren asked himself in despair, "I have three degrees, I studied at the most prestigious places, I have learned and know a lot, so why doesn't anyone make make an appoitnment?!" It took him time to absorb that all the knowledge in the world isn't worth much without practical experience.

Our sages in Tractate Avot state, "Whoever has more deeds than wisdom, his wisdom will endure. Whoever has more wisdom than deeds, his wisdom will not endure." As long as your Jewish world is confined to knowledge, even vast knowledge, feelings, understandings, plans, or aspirations and dreams - it is very nice, but it will not endure. The true value of all the knowledge will only actualize if you express your Jewish values in practical experience. Without this, the wisdom will fade away over time.

What is the first step we want to take in the practical and actionable direction of true Jewish progression? Notice that the reference is to the "first" and not "one." If we do not want a lone single step, but a step that serves as an opening and continuation for future good, it should be a "first" step that is followed by a second and third, and so on. The commitment we take can indeed be small or even tiny so that we can stand by it and apply it consistently, but it should be of enough importance to truly propel us forward.

Observing Shabbat is vast like the sea and includes many details. One can start with a first step towards the great goal of observing Shabbat according to halacha, and eventually all the other commandments. Gradual observance of Shabbat usually does not require drastic life changes, but it has the power to propel you forward in communication with your spiritual inner self.

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For strengthening tips by Rabbi Shteinman of blessed memory, click here.