Acharei Mot תרלב (English only)
Acharei Mot תרלב
Rashi and Medrash ‘You accepted my Dominion accept my Gezerot-statutes.
Similarly we find the Gemora in Brochas (13.) Says that a person should first accept upon himself the rulership of Hashem and then pray.
In every mitzvah a person does they should have this idea in mind to accept the Will of Hashem. The reason is because this is actually the point of the mitzvah. There are 2 elements here for a person doing a mitzvah. (1) is to do the mitzvah (2) to do the will of HaShem. The overriding reason however is the second one the pure will of HaShem, this is the purer reason, the first is the means for us to do it.
Similarly with Nadav and Avihu the reason given for their severe punishment is they brought an offering ‘That was not commanded’.
Therefore we should always be doing Mitzvot because we want to do the will of HaShem. Similarly we have the concept of ‘Vechai Bahem’ to bring forth ‘chiyus’ from the source i.e. HaShem’s dominion.
This is the point of all the mitzvos to bring more chiyus’ life force into the world. Without mitzvos there is spiritual death, as we know about the wicked they are called dead even whilst they are alive, whereas mitzvos that are in every action we do are the force of life.
‘Which a person shall do and live by them’ this is in future tense ya’aseh, that a person should always be focusing on when is it possible for me to do His will in this way one will be shomer guarding- by anticipating- the mitzvot. This anticipation is what will give him joy and life force (purpose) wanting to always do the will of HaShem and always being connected to His will. As it says Ushmarted va’asitem vechai bahem, (causing your will to become one with His will).
Analysis:
In explaining the meaning of Mitzvot the Sfas Emes explains that the true goal is for a person to put aside his own will and focus solely on Hashem’s will without even getting to the reason of HaShem’s commanding us in all the mitzvot. Just the acceptance of His malchut and wanting and anticipating to do His will is what will give a person happiness and connect him to Chiyus the life force.
