Why keep the commandments?
Why do I need to listen to God? The reason I keep the commandments is only because of reward and punishment. Reasons like He revives every moment, He created the world, and gratitude do not convince me. As a believing Haredi yeshiva student, I questioned why I need to keep the rabbinic and strict commandments and laws without justification. After all, the reason I keep Shabbat, tefillin, and kashrut is reward and punishment. The very fact that I am a yeshiva student who keeps the minimum, in the equation of reward and punishment, top 5000, (according to an equation that was calculated, the world is divided into 5000, in the first degree), so why do more than the minimum?? And why keep laws without justification, or laws that I disbelieve in justification? And moral laws, theft, honoring parents, are subject to my decision, according to the degree of my morality, so why do I have to keep them?
I didn’t understand the question. If you fear punishment and want reward, then you must observe everything that brings reward and prevents punishment. What difference does it make if there is or is not a reason, and is it Torah or Rabbinic?
Although that’s just your opinion. In my opinion, there is an inherent obligation to obey God (see my article on philosophical gratitude here on the site).
It's strange that you state that you are a "Haredi yeshiva believer" and in the same breath ask "Why should I listen?" And in the same breath you are a "disbeliever in reason." So what exactly do you believe?
After all, faith begins where reason ends. Do you want to believe in what you understand? You don't need faith for that!!!
What you wrote about moral laws is also in general "reward and punishment" which is stated in your words. Which is definitely an important element of faith. And as they wrote to you, there is no need for reason.
It's just a shame that you don't practice "love." It's all a matter of education. I hope you find the right way to reach love and joy.
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