The Divine Design: How Commandments Nourish the Soul and Balance the Human Experience

In his book, Shaarei Kedusha, Rabbi Chaim Vital explains that the spiritual nourishment of the soul is drawn through the fulfillment of the Torah’s 613 commandments, which correspond to the 613 parts of the soul. Each of the 248 organs is sustained by a specific positive commandment. Similarly, when a person refrains from violating one of the 365 negative commandments, this allows the spiritual nourishment from fulfilling the positive commandments to flow through the 365 spiritual “veins,” enlivening the soul. If one transgresses, that specific channel is blocked due to the impurity drawn there.

A person must therefore strive to fulfill all 613 commandments. When fulfilling a commandment, sanctity rests upon the individual. When avoiding a transgression, one removes spiritual waste from the corresponding channel in the soul, allowing divine influence to flow properly.

An Interesting Parallel:
According to Chinese medicine, the human body contains twelve energy meridians and 365 acupuncture points, through which energetic changes can be made. While such physical healing efforts are valid, the spiritual methods given by G-d through His Torah reach much deeper, affecting the soul itself.

The Secret of Balancing Body and Soul

The Torah offers a path that harmoniously balances the needs of both body and soul, bringing full satisfaction to both. Understanding this balance is especially important for those beginning a spiritual journey. Many are held back by the fear of "giving up the pleasures of this world for the next one"- not realizing that they're simply exchanging a fleeting pleasure for a deeper, lasting one, even in this world.

In the following sections, we’ll explore examples of the Torah’s guidance by tasting the flavors and depths of various commandments. These reflections, both from revealed and mystical teachings, may lead to a deeper appreciation of this ancient wisdom, echoing King David’s words: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Do Mitzvot Have Reasons?

A fundamental idea in Judaism is that the mitzvot are for the benefit of the human being- not for G-d's sake, as G-d is complete and lacks nothing. As the Midrash says: Why does G-d care if we eat kosher or non-kosher? He gains nothing and loses nothing. The commandments were given to purify and elevate people.

Great Jewish thinkers like Maimonides, Nachmanides, and the author of "Sefer HaChinuch" have explained the reasons for many mitzvot. But even these are just small glimpses of their deeper truths. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin wrote that the full depth of the mitzvot was only known to Adam before the sin. In the future, those deeper meanings will be revealed to the righteous.

One reason the Torah conceals the reasons behind some commandments is because knowing them could lead to rationalization and transgression. King Solomon himself failed in this way, thinking he could override specific commandments because he understood their reasoning.

Still, our sages explained some reasons for mitzvot to help people connect intellectually and emotionally to observance. When people understand the benefit, they are more likely to fulfill the commandment.

The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the mitzvot were designed to benefit us. Even if we don’t understand them fully, we should still try to grasp the benefit we can gain from their observance.

Doing Mitzvot for the Right Reasons

Ultimately, a person should strive to perform mitzvot not for reward but out of love and reverence for G-d. As it says in Pirkei Avot: “Do not be like servants who serve their master for the sake of reward, but like those who serve not for reward.” Still, it is permitted- and even necessary- for a beginner to start by focusing on the benefits, because from that motivation, one can grow toward purer intentions.

As the Sages say: “A person should always engage in Torah and mitzvot even not for their own sake, because doing so will lead to doing them for their own sake.”

G-d sets before each person two paths: life and good, death and evil- and commands, “Choose life.” This means not only eternal life, but also a good and meaningful life here on earth.

The Torah’s goal is to lead a person to eternal pleasure and closeness to G-d. When one seeks this out of love for G-d and a desire to fulfill His will, this too is considered pure motivation.