Finding Meaning One Step at a Time

People often have a very black and white approach to life. This attitude often carries over to Judaism too and makes people feel that observing mitzvot (commandments) is “all or nothing.”
Many wonder: If I don’t fully keep Shabbat, is it silly to make Kiddush?If I’m already not strict about separating meat and dairy, does it even matter if I avoid non-kosher animals?

The real question behind all this is:

If I’m not doing everything, is it even worth doing anything at all?

Rabbi Pinchas Badush offers an encouraging perspective:
"Of course it’s better to observe some mitzvot than none at all — as long as you’re genuinely trying, not just picking and choosing out of convenience. Let me explain: if certain mitzvot feel hard for me right now, but I still hold on to what I can, that’s something beautiful. It's like asking: is it better to work three hours a day or not work at all?"

But what happens if someone only chooses what they like, without trying to grow?
"That’s different," Rabbi Badush says. "Sometimes people build a lifestyle around picking only the easy mitzvot, not because they struggle, but because they’ve decided that’s ‘their version’ of Judaism. It’s like a flickering light: when it’s steady, you enjoy it; when it’s off, you get used to the dark; but when it flickers, it’s just confusing and unsettling."

Take Shabbat, for example: if someone drives, smokes, and turns on lights — does it even matter if they avoid turning on one extra light?
"Absolutely!" he says. "Each action matters on its own. Every violation and every mitzvah is counted separately. Even if someone drives on Shabbat, skipping just one forbidden act — like avoiding flipping one light switch — is still meaningful.

There’s a beautiful parable about this:
A man was walking through the market with a sack full of silver coins. The sack tore, and coins started spilling everywhere. Heartbroken, he stood frozen, watching people scoop them up. A friend came by and said, ‘Don’t just stand there! Pick up what you can. Every coin you save is still valuable.’
It’s the same with mitzvot — every little bit counts."

But isn’t it pointless to keep a few commandments if I’m not following everything?
Not at all.
The Mishnah teaches: "The reward for a mitzvah is a mitzvah; the reward for a transgression is a transgression."
In other words, every mitzvah you do brings full reward — as if there were no sins attached — and every misstep is judged on its own too.

So, even if someone struggles with Shabbat observance, but refrains once from turning on a light — that act is treasured. Every small effort matters in Hashem’s eyes.

However, Rabbi Badush reminds us: If someone only observes the easy parts and convinces themselves they’re "doing it all," it can hold them back.
"It's like a person who smokes just a few cigarettes a day. It’s better than smoking five packs — but if they tell themselves they’re ‘totally healthy,’ they might never try to quit. Awareness and honesty enable real growth."

The Deeper Meaning of a Mitzvah
Rabbi Yitzhak Gabai shares another beautiful idea: the word mitzvah (commandment) is also connected to tzavta — which means togetherness.
Every mitzvah is an opportunity to connect to Hashem.

"When someone observes all the mitzvot, they create a full connection," he says. "But even one mitzvah — even one small step — brings its own deep connection.
If someone wears tzitzit (ritual fringes) but struggles with other mitzvot, that’s still a huge accomplishment! They’ll receive full reward for that mitzvah.

The Torah reminds us: 'There is no righteous person on earth who does good and never sins.' Even the greatest righteous people make mistakes. What matters is the direction you're facing — that you aspire to grow and connect.

And just for that aspiration — for reaching out even a little — there is tremendous, endless value."

Every step matters.
It’s not about perfection, but progress. Each mitzvah, no matter how small, brings you closer to Hashem and the Jewish community. Embrace the journey, and know that every step forward is a blessing.