Is Judaism Just Too Detailed? Why Every Tiny Law Might Matter More Than You Think

The Deeper Meaning Behind Judaism’s Most Minute Details

Why does Judaism seem to be fixated on so many small, seemingly insignificant details? Why should it matter which foods require a blessing, how many grams are in a kezayit (halachic olive-size portion), exactly when to pray, or how to use toilet paper on Shabbat? Wouldn’t it make more sense for Judaism to focus on spirituality and connection with Hashem rather than all these small details?

To develop an answer to this question, it's helpful to imagine this scenario: You’re waiting for a critical email, but it never arrives. After some checking, you realize you mistakenly typed your email address with one tiny error. You forgot to put a period before the com in your Gmail address. It’s just a dot, right? A meaningless speck! But suddenly, that missing dot becomes a wall. The email will never reach you. In fact, it vanishes into the void. Anyone who understands how email systems work wouldn’t call it petty; they’d call it precise.

Or take another example: logging into your online bank account. You remember your username is “amos,” and you’re sure the password is “Jerusalem1.” You try it. Access denied. Maybe it’s “Jerusalem2”? Still no luck. After several frustrating attempts and a few calls to customer service, you finally realize the correct password is “Jerusalem11.” Do you contend that the bank is ridiculous for not accepting your incorrect password? Of course not. You don’t accuse your bank of being overly meticulous just because it insisted on the right digits. You understand: precision matters.

The Difference Between Details and Petty Rules

When it comes to Judaism, people often confuse details with pettiness. Yes, halacha (Jewish law) covers every part of life and goes into great depth. But that doesn’t make it trivial. The Torah’s specification of measurements, times, and procedures isn’t small-minded. It’s exact. Just like your bank password or email address require specific input to function properly, mitzvot (commandments) are spiritual codes that operate within the world and soul with a profound impact.

Each mitzvah is part of a Divine system, and even the smallest variation can change its effect. You wouldn’t say a firewall is unnecessary just because you don’t understand cybersecurity. Similarly, if you don’t yet understand the purpose of a particular mitzvah, that doesn’t mean it lacks significance. The solution isn’t to dismiss the command. It’s to study and explore. To learn more Torah and uncover the spiritual wisdom within each law.

And if there are still mitzvot you don’t fully grasp, think again about your bank's security system. You probably don’t understand exactly how it processes transactions or protects its site. But you still follow the steps. You log in. You use the system, even if some parts are unclear. Hashem, Who created the world and gave the Torah, knows exactly why every detail matters. Even the ones that seem small to us.

So the next time you wonder why Judaism cares about “the little things,” remember: the details may not be little at all.