Q&A: Performing Commandments by Divine Command Against Practical Rationality?
Performing Commandments by Divine Command Against Practical Rationality?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
In the first lesson on faith and its meaning, you said that the question of why to observe commandments after one believes in God and in the revelation at Mount Sinai is not relevant, since God is what obligates, and therefore it is right to do His commandments.
I agree with you that doing commandments in that sense is right, but I don't think that solves the problem.
Even if I believed 100% in God, and also that He gave commandments, if you were to tell me that observing them would harm me and my surroundings (in a utilitarian sense), both in the World to Come and in this world, I would not observe the commandments, even though it is right. Because doing so would bring only bad results, and it would not be wise, and it would not look good (in the eyes of others). So why should I care that it is right, if it causes harm?
Answer
You are mixing together two different planes. The divine command itself is binding. If the content of the command is bad, then you are in a conflict between the duty to obey and the prohibition against doing evil. The duty to obey still stands, except that opposing it is another duty.
Discussion on Answer
There’s nothing to understand here. When you ask for an explanation, you are really expecting a justification in terms of consequences, but the whole claim is that these actions are not done for the sake of consequences, but rather to act correctly for the sake of truth. See Column 120 (and also a bit of 122).
Thanks. I understand, but I’d be glad if you could explain why I should act according to duty. I understand why to pursue practical benefit—it simply will do good. I don’t do that because someone obligated me to do good, but because I prefer that things go well for me and for my surroundings. But what is the reason to obey duty? Practically speaking, maybe it’s so that we feel at peace with ourselves. I assume you meant a reason that is not practically utilitarian—simply to do the right thing—but I still don’t understand why that should affect me in the practical world.