Q&A: Morality in Commandments
Morality in Commandments
Question
Hello Rabbi,
In several columns, the Rabbi mentioned that not all commandments are necessarily moral. For example, the morality of the commandment "do not steal" is not like that of the commandment of mixed species from a moral standpoint.
However, if we start from the assumption that commandments have an effect beyond the individual, and that the observance of each and every commandment acts in one way or another upon reality, why not argue that every commandment has a moral dimension, even if we do not currently understand it.
Thank you very much.
Answer
You can argue whatever you want; the question is how reasonable it is. If there does not appear to be a moral dimension in some commandment, why assume that there is one? The more reasonable conclusion is that commandments have purposes beyond morality. They affect reality, but not necessarily in a moral way. Moreover, morality is binding even without Jewish law (by virtue of "and you shall do what is right and good" and by force of reason), so it is even plausible that Jewish law is not intended to achieve moral goals, and certainly not only those.
Discussion on Answer
I don't know.
Thank you for the answer, but if the commandments affect reality positively, and the effect on reality is apparently positive, then it is moral; if so, every commandment is moral.
I still do not understand the effect of the commandments on being/reality, but we have a tradition that there is such an effect.
This indeed does not detract from the fact that there can be moral actions that are not written in the Torah and that we are commanded regarding them from "and you shall do what is right and good."
I disagree. Preserving the holiness of the priesthood affects reality, but it does not necessarily have a moral aspect. It adds to the divine presence in the world, but does not necessarily correct something in society or in us. The same is true of the various dietary prohibitions and many other commandments and prohibitions.
So what kind of effect do the commandments have on reality?