The Beauty and Value of a Torah Life

Despite the importance of intention, a person who chooses to live life according to the Torah must also implement changes in their actions. This includes changing dietary habits, refraining from certain activities on Shabbat, behaving with greater respect and helping others, among countless other details. Through these changes, every action gains meaning which creates a unique value for life. Even though certain foods are no longer permissible, there is no loss of enjoyment, but rather a person gains a better appreciation of the pleasures the world offers.

A non-religious person may mistakenly believe that a G-d-fearing person leads an unhappy life, considering the many restrictions he must follow. However, this is an error, as the Torah is not a collection of prohibitions, but a lifestyle that teaches people to appreciate life more fully.

The first laws in the "Shulchan Aruch," a widely accepted book of Jewish law, guide us on ideal human behavior from the moment one awakens:

"Strengthen oneself like a lion for the service of the Creator." Do not be lazy upon waking. This first law indicates our duty to love life. Who loves life more – one who gets up immediately and eagerly, or someone who seeks endless hours of sleep?

Before rising, one must converse with Hashem – I explicitly say "converse" because it’s not just about reciting a prayer. We must be aware that Hashem is present, listening, as you say: "I give thanks before You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness." Have you ever felt the profound emotion of opening up to someone who has done you a kindness? Truly thanking them from the depths of your soul with utmost sincerity? Few have genuinely felt this. It's a special emotion, a need of our soul, often suppressed by routine, which hides life's wonders. Our first moments each day are devoted to thanking Hashem for waking us. This didn’t happen because it was obligatory or because we deserved it, but because of His infinite goodness. Perhaps we didn’t deserve to wake today, for yesterday G-d granted us life as a gift and we didn’t use it correctly. We are given another chance because G-d is merciful and patient. During this morning conversation, we say "Great is Your faithfulness," because He believes in us even if we do nothing to earn His trust since He knows our true potential.

We then wash our hands to rid ourselves of the lack of life (impurity) present during sleep. A similar action is taken after using the restroom, removing what is no longer needed for our body and life mission, and again we converse with Hashem, with the blessing: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, Who created humanity with wisdom and created in them many openings and cavities. It is obvious and known before Your glorious throne that if one of them opened or was blocked, one could not survive and stand before You even one hour. Blessed are You, Hashem, Healer of all flesh, Who does wonders." Here we acknowledge human fragility and admit that our entire existence is in Hashem's hands.

Een in the first moments of the day, a G-d-fearing person appreciates and gets excited about life. Imagine the rest of the day! What will this person say about all the life spread before them!

Maintaining Uniqueness

Every person has a personal mission in the world, yet the Torah is unique and its commandments oblige everyone. No person is permitted to steal and kosher laws are the same for all Jews, regardless of gender, age, or whether one's life mission is to become a great rabbi or a businessman. We may ask, why didn’t G-d create unique laws for every individual, corresponding to each person's uniqueness?

Although the Torah is one, it allows each person to preserve their uniqueness. While we are instructed to love others and not harm them, the way we fulfill this commandment is unique to each individual. In the synagogue for example, we all pray similarly according to halacha, but within each person, a different experience unfolds: one rejoices, another gives thanks for received merit, another hopes for better circumstances, while someone else still tries to understand life's events, and so on. Likewise in study, each person will interpret differently. Though the Talmud itself doesn’t change, the disputes among sages are inseparable from it.

Since G-d is one and His truth is one, what is correct does not vary from person to person. When all Jews collectively uphold the Torah in unity while maintaining individuality, divine presence and oneness will be evident worldwide.

From the book "Dan's Journey for the Meaning of Life," by Roni Dayan. To purchase the book at Hidabroot Shops,click here.