The Train of Life: Why 613 Commandments Are a Gift, Not a Burden

“Rabbi Chananya ben Akashya says: The Holy One, Blessed be He, wished to grant merit to Israel; therefore, He gave them an abundance of Torah and mitzvot, as it is said: ‘The Lord desired, for the sake of His righteousness, to make the Torah great and glorious.’” (Pirkei Avot 6:11)

Each morning, when a Jew awakens, they begin the day with gratitude: “Modeh ani.” They wash their hands and recite Birkot HaShachar — the morning blessings, including the line: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who did not make me a non-Jew.”

At first glance, this sounds puzzling — what’s so bad about being a non-Jew?

Why So Many Commandments?

According to the Torah, every non-Jew is required to observe the Seven Noahide Laws:

1. Not to eat a limb from a living animal

2. Not to curse God

3. Not to steal

4. To establish a system of justice

5. To avoid idolatry

6. To avoid sexual immorality

7. Not to commit murder

A non-Jew who keeps these laws is considered a Righteous Gentile and has a portion in the World to Come.

A Jew is commanded with 613 mitzvot — 248 positive and 365 prohibitive commandments. Breaking even one can bring consequences, sometimes severe, before one attains the reward of the World to Come.

Logically, it therefore seems easier to be a non-Jew, with no obligation of kosher laws, Shabbat, or Yom Kippur fasting, and no punishment for neglecting them. Why is being Jewish considered such a blessing?

More Mitzvot = More Merit

The Sages reveal the answer: “God desired to grant Israel merit; therefore, He gave them many Torah laws and mitzvot.”

The 613 commandments are not restrictions but treasures — 613 opportunities for light, purpose, and connection to the Divine.

Each mitzvah is a precious gift, a key to spiritual joy and eternal reward. If we truly understood the greatness of each commandment, we would chase them with love and excitement, just as people chase wealth and pleasure.

As the holy Or HaChaim writes on Devarim 26: “If people truly felt the sweetness and delight of Torah, they would lose their minds with passion for it. The entire world’s wealth would seem worthless, for the Torah contains all the good in existence.”

The Train of Life — A Parable by the Chafetz Chaim

The Chafetz Chaim offered a beautiful parable for Jews who try to live as if they were non-Jews.

There was once a very poor man who longed to ride on the “wonderful machine” — the train. He would pass the station, watching the carriages with wonder, but could never afford a ticket. One day, determined, he decided to save up enough money — no matter how long it took.

He asked the ticket clerk, “How much for a ticket?”
The clerk replied, “That depends — which class do you want?”
“Of course, the best one!” said the man.

The clerk quoted a large sum. The man left, determined to save.

After months of sacrifice, he finally had enough. Excited, he bought a first-class ticket, his heart racing as he boarded the train.

When he arrived, he noticed most passengers entering through the middle doors, while the attendant directed him to a far carriage at the end of the train.

He hesitated — why should he be sent to the back when everyone else entered from the middle? Thinking he was being cheated, he sneaked into the crowd and boarded one of the middle cars.

The train began to move. He was thrilled — until he saw the conductor checking tickets. Panic struck. He hid under the seat, trembling as the conductor passed. He escaped detection but spent the entire journey cramped and uncomfortable beneath the bench.

When the trip ended, he stretched and met a friend on the platform, proudly telling him how he had “fooled the system.” The friend asked to see his ticket — and was shocked. “Are you out of your mind?! You had a first-class ticket! Do you know what you missed? Comfortable seats, delicious food, luxury service! You hid under a seat like a beggar — and all that was rightfully yours!”

So it is with life. Every Jew has a first-class ticket on the “Train of Life.” We’ve been given the highest calling — a life filled with meaning, purpose, and connection to the Infinite.

Indeed, the ticket is expensive — it comes with responsibilities, trials, and even persecution throughout history. But the price is worth it.

So why hide under the seat? Why live like someone else, cramped and anxious, denying your own light? You’ve already been given the finest seat on the train — the joy and privilege of living as a Jew.

The Gift of Being Chosen

The abundance of commandments is not a burden but a divine privilege — a chance to turn every moment of life into a mitzvah, every act into light, and every challenge into purpose.

As Rabbi Chananya ben Akashya taught, God gave us more mitzvot not to weigh us down — but to lift us up.