Heart vs. Mind: What's More Important in Teshuva?

As discussed in the previous column on the importance of teshuva combined with the heart, personal growth of the heart is reflected in an enhanced connection with Hashem. Just as there are different levels in outward matters, there are also levels in the work of the heart and connection with Hashem.

For example, the level of belief in Hashem, awe, and love is not the same for everyone – all believe, but with varying intensity. In the book Da'at Torah (Genesis 7:7), this is compared to a person who trusts a friend and is willing to lend him money. However, if the friend wants to borrow a large sum, doubt creeps in. Thus, the level of belief in anyone is limited. Similarly, an individual’s faith in Hashem varies. Faith is like a ladder set on the ground, reaching the heavens, with numerous rungs representing the different levels of faith, awe, love, and dedication. Our goal is to elevate these levels within us.

The Inner Heart – Even Now?

This concept is straightforward and essential, yet some people do not see the point in focusing on the heart's inner quality before Hashem. Many who do focus on these matters often neglect the importance of observing halacha, as already noted by the Vilna Gaon in his book Nephesh HaChayim, Gate 3, Chapter 4-5. Or they invest excessive effort in lofty intentions, which in today's reality, fail to manifest noticeable results. Some argue that such matters should not be mentioned, and Hashem will have mercy on our external generation, rewarding us according to our limited abilities.

Of course, this argument is incorrect, as we are not exempt from striving to seek genuine and inner spirituality as much as possible. Even in our current state, we can find paths to our hearts and thus reach a meaningful advancement in connection with Hashem.

Are Hearts Really Drawn After Actions?

We have noted that the purpose of mitzvot is to purify the heart and elevate the levels of faith, awe, and love. Yet, we must clarify how this is achieved – how do we fill the heart with love, awe, enthusiasm, and devotion? There are certain levels that any Jew can reach in any situation when he inspires himself to think of the love or awe of Hashem, as indicated at the beginning of Shulchan Aruch, but surely the goal is to climb up the spiritual ladder of Hashem's house and maintain a clear and consistent feeling of love, awe, and devotion to Him.

To reach desired levels of the heart, one must observe the mitzvot of Hashem. However, the question remains whether mitzvah observance alone will naturally lead to spiritual devotion, as the rule in Sefer HaChinuch says, 'after the actions are drawn the hearts,' or whether additional conditions must be met for mitzvah actions to truly influence the heart.

Do Good Deeds Always Influence the Heart?

A close examination of reality reveals several conditions that must be present for mitzvot to influence the heart. Learning Torah does not inherently ensure a true connection with Hashem. As noted in Jeremiah 2:8: "They who hold the Torah do not know me." And our sages explain that Torah learning is not always a remedy for life, but sometimes leads to harmful results (as seen by Doeg the Edomite and Yohanan the High Priest).

It is possible for a person to be full of mitzvot and yet not favored by Hashem, as clearly mentioned by the Rambam. In Hilkhot Teshuva, 7:7, he elaborates that such a person is distanced from the God of Israel, as Isaiah said, "Your sins separate you and your God." A person may cry out and be left unanswered, perform mitzvot which are rejected as Isaiah exclaimed: "When you multiply prayers, I will not listen," and "Who asked this of you, trampling my courts?"

Conscious Attention – A Vital Condition

Our sages have extensively explained the conditions necessary for mitzvot to impact the heart. The crucial requirements to involve the heart in serving Hashem fall into several categories. Chief among these is the power of focused attention while performing a mitzvah.

The first condition is conscious attention, as indicated by the verse: "Set your hearts to all the words that I testify unto you this day," and Rashi explains to direct your heart, eyes, and ears to hear the words of Torah. Similarly, in the Shema, it is instructed, "And you shall place these words upon your heart."

This teaches the necessity of paying attention to the words of Torah, because actions can be carried out automatically without awareness – like driving a car. When learning to drive, each maneuver required full concentration. Now we merge into traffic, accelerate, and park without conscious thought, as the brain optimizes processes.

Unfortunately, we often find ourselves in automatic mode during prayer and mitzvot, leading to daydreaming. Performing mitzvot in such a state cannot reach the heart as they become rote actions, as the prophet Isaiah lamented: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."

Additional Essential Conditions

Another essential condition is intent during mitzvah performance, to fulfill one's obligation, as noted in Shulchan Aruch. Later scholars cited this from sources teaching that all service to Hashem requires full intentional focus and absence of distracting thoughts. The Rambanan elaborates that the verse about serving wholeheartedly is a directive for complete devotion to Hashem in all mitzvot.

A further condition impacting the effect of mitzvot on the heart varies with changing reality. For instance, in eras when agriculture was predominant, observing Shmita led to a marked increase in faith and reliance, superior to today's understanding, primarily for those outside farming. This shows how the effectiveness of mitzvah performance in influencing the heart is determined by the quality of actions and is not automatic.

Actions That Repel the Heart?

There are actions that not only fail to positively influence the heart but have the opposite effect, causing the soul to reject them. These are actions done under force (external or internal) without desire. Humans naturally rebel against imposed actions, seeking freedom.

Thus, punishment triggers rebellion in any healthy child. Though sometimes necessary, it must be followed by the principle of "left hand pushes away, right hand draws close." Education professionals observe that much of the youth at risk did not stray due to a lack of childhood education but rather because of an overly strict emphasis on proper mitzvah observance without relating to their inner identification with the practice.

Forced, coercive actions prevent mitzvot from impacting the heart, merely encouraging a negative backlash when one is freed from pressure. Inevitably, they await a chance to break free in opposing extremes.

Essential Conditions to Explore

There are other conditions [that cause Torah and mitzvot to impact the heart], which involve intent of the heart and are noted in "Chayei Adam" and "Chafetz Chaim." They include performing mitzvot with joy, avoiding disrespect, and more. However, since many conditions are already detailed in the Talmud and early writings, especially in Mussar and Chassidus, this work will focus on additional conditions from the ancients, sometimes forgotten yet widely known.

The essential conditions we'll explore further are:

* Enjoyment and life in mitzvah actions.

* Self-introspection, including recognition of our lower aspects, allowing us to set spiritual goals that can genuinely elevate.

While some understand generalities from details, and vice versa, some need concrete examples. In this domain, examples are tricky, as every heart is unique, thus not everything suitable for one applies to another. However, this work speaks to those returning to faith, sharing common grounds, and it discusses these issues, supported by Hashem.

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