Q&A: Moral Command in the Torah
Moral Command in the Torah
Question
“Just as He is compassionate, so you too should be compassionate,” etc.
What is the meaning of this rule (if it is in fact a rule) when we speak about Jewish law? (Is commanding me to be nice really the domain of Jewish law?)
Rabbi Chaim Vital says that there is no commandment regarding morality in the Torah, because without it there is no ability to acquire it. Is “just as He is compassionate” / “and you shall do what is right and good” a difficulty for his view?
Thank you.
Answer
Why not? How is the commandment to be nice any different from the commandment to observe the Sabbath or not to eat pork?
I’ve explained this several times in the past: he raises a difficulty about character refinement, and the commandment of cleaving to the attributes of the Holy One, blessed be He, applies to actions.