Q&A: The Purpose of Judaism
The Purpose of Judaism
Question
What is the purpose of Judaism?
I see that you place Torah study at the center, and as a central value in Judaism (like many others, of course).
On the other hand, there are statements of the Sages that do not seem to say that.
For example:
“Whoever says, ‘I have only Torah’—even Torah he does not have”—because Torah is only an opening to fear of Heaven. That seems to imply that fear of Heaven is the main thing, and study is only a way to get there.
Likewise: “Study is not the main thing, but deed is”—again it seems that study is only a means in order to know what to do (= fear of Heaven), and study is merely instructions for that.
Thanks in advance!
Answer
There are all kinds of quotations pointing in all kinds of directions. You can also interpret each of them in different ways. So there is no point in getting into arguments over such quotations.
As for “Whoever says, ‘I have only Torah,'” see Yevamot 109, where the Talmud itself gives different interpretations. The simple straightforward meaning is that someone who studies but does not observe—even his study is not considered meaningful. But the medieval authorities already explain that this is not because the purpose of study is observance, but because study not intended for observance is not really study. And this is how Midrash Shmuel explained the Mishnah: “Study is not the main thing, but deed is.”