Why Judaism Has So Many Commandments: Beyond Just Having a Good Heart

Orit asks: "Hello. I’m 16 and I have a few questions: Why are there so many commandments? Isn’t it enough just to believe in my heart? After all, there are good people in the world with kind hearts — doesn’t that count? Thank you."

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Dear Orit, shalom and thank you for your thoughtful questions.

The right way to look at the Torah is as a divine gift: “It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and happy are those who support it” (Proverbs 3:18). Through it, we merit a better life in this world and eternal joy in the World to Come.

God gave us the Torah because He loves us and wants the best for us: “To keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes, which I command you this day — for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:13).

Think of it this way: the simpler the object, the fewer instructions it needs. Flying a fighter jet requires far more training than using a calculator (and woe to the one who ignores instructions mid-flight!). All the more so, human life, which is the most complex reality in existence, requires detailed guidance.

Your brain alone is the greatest wonder of creation. At this very moment, it is operating about 100 billion neurons — more than all the stars in the galaxy, working in perfect coordination to let you see, hear, move, speak, and think. If the Creator designed something so astonishing, it’s obvious He has a great purpose for you. And remember, the body itself is only the outer tool; the real driver is your soul.

Because human life and society are so complex, it isn’t enough to say “be careful” in traffic laws, and it isn’t enough to say “just be good” for morality. We need a full code of guidance touching every aspect of life, including the sanctity of life, laws of family, marriage and purity, eating, justice, testimony, punishment, charity, ownership, speech, war, mourning, and more. All of these are necessary to guide us not only to live in peace with one another, but to achieve closeness to God.

Originally, humanity was commanded only with the Seven Noahide Laws — basic moral guidelines instilled in human conscience. However, these are only to prevent the most severe harm and don’t show us the full positive purpose of creation and the closeness to God that is expressed through all the many details of Torah life.

I once spoke with a medical student who said he was studying medicine to develop cures and save lives. “That is a noble mission,” I told him, “but is that truly the highest purpose a person can aim for? Imagine you could time-travel to the year 7000, when there is no sickness, no poverty, robots do all the work, and humanity has solved every scientific problem. What would be your life’s goal then? Eat popcorn all day?” He paused, surprised, and admitted he had never considered that there might be a purpose higher than material comfort.

Of course, a believing doctor can serve God through Torah and kindness, and his research can be a great mitzvah. But if someone thinks life is only about medicine and technology, he misses the deeper meaning.

At the same time, you are right that everything begins with a good heart. The Sages taught (Avot 2:9): when asked what path a person should choose, different sages answered: a good eye, a good friend, a good neighbor, foresight… Rabbi Elazar ben Arach said: a good heart. And the others agreed that this included them all.

A good heart is the starting point. God chose Abraham because of his truth and kindness, and He chose Moses because he cared for the sheep, defended the oppressed, and sought peace. Compassion is the hallmark of the Jew.

And yet, good heart alone is like an uncut diamond. It has potential but needs polishing. The commandments are that polishing process. As the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 44:1) says: “The mitzvot were given only to refine people.”

The Torah isn’t just for the wicked to become good, but for the good to become righteous, and for the kind to become holy. It shapes character, deepens faith, and brings eternal joy.

Of course, God doesn’t withhold reward from anyone. A kind person will certainly be rewarded for every good deed, even without mitzvah observance. With Torah however, that same kindness reaches infinitely higher, transformed into eternal holiness.

Judaism takes already good people, and elevates them to be righteous, saintly, and eternally fulfilled.