Mitzvos
מצוותThe commandments as vessels for connection to Hashem. The Sfas Emes on mitzvos.
203 essays
Noach
- The ark, Torah, and Shabbos as rescueNoach · תרמ"א · Essay 3
- Mitzvos as the offspring of tzaddikimNoach · תרמ"ד · Essay 1
- The Tzaddik as Living TestimonyNoach · תרמ"ה · Essay 1
- Bittul as the source of true offspringNoach · תרמ"ח · Essay 1
- The tzaddik as vessel for Torah-lightNoach · תרנ"ז · Essay 1
- Mitzvos draw chayah, Torah draws yechidahNoach · תרנ"ח · Essay 1
- A tzaddik's true offspring are mitzvosNoach · תרס"ג · Essay 1
Lech Lecha
- Universal yichud versus Yisrael's loving mitzvosLech Lecha · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Avraham's two avodos of unityLech Lecha · תרל"ז · Essay 2
- Avraham stitched the world to its rootLech Lecha · תרמ"ב · Essay 1
- Avraham mended the world's garmentLech Lecha · תרמ"ד · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as a Garment and ShieldLech Lecha · תרס"ב · Essay 3
Vayeira
- The mitzvah as a doorwayVayeira · תרל"ב · Essay 3
- Sharing the merit of a mitzvahVayeira · תרל"ו · Essay 2
- The Akeidah's enduring power for all generationsVayeira · תרמ"ה · Essay 2
- Milah uncovers inner sight of the DivineVayeira · תרנ"ד · Essay 1
- Milah rectifies the Tree of KnowledgeVayeira · תרנ"ז · Essay 2
- Milah as the root of Avraham's mitzvosVayeira · תר"ס · Essay 1
Chayei Sarah
Toldot
Vayetzei
Vayishlach
- Angels and Human Spiritual ElevationVayishlach · תרל"ה · Essay 1
- Spiritual Struggle for Future GenerationsVayishlach · תרל"ז · Essay 2
- Inner Essence Above AngelsVayishlach · תרל"ח · Essay 1
- Angelic Protection Through TorahVayishlach · תר"מ · Essay 2
- Jacob’s Dual Spiritual IdentityVayishlach · תרמ"ח · Essay 1
- Jacob’s Spiritual IntegrationVayishlach · תרנ"ח · Essay 3
- Inner vs. Outer Mitzvah PracticeVayishlach · תרס"ב · Essay 1
Vayeshev
Mikeitz
Chanukah
- Miracle Light of ChanukahChanukah · תרל"א · Essay 1
- Miracles Beyond NatureChanukah · תרל"א · Essay 2
- Divine Love in Chanukah MiraclesChanukah · תרל"ב · Essay 2
- The Power of PraiseChanukah · תרל"ב · Essay 3
- Truth in Fulfilling MitzvotChanukah · תרל"ג · Essay 3
- The Cherished Miracle of ChanukahChanukah · תרל"ד · Essay 1
- Light Enduring Through MitzvotChanukah · תרל"ד · Essay 2
- Light of the SoulChanukah · תרל"ד · Essay 9
- Mindful Mitzvah PracticeChanukah · תרל"ה · Essay 3
- Sanctity of the Menorah’s LightChanukah · תרל"ה · Essay 6
- Publicizing the MiracleChanukah · תרל"ו · Essay 8
- Miracle Through Mitzvah DevotionChanukah · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Light of Mitzvot and TorahChanukah · תרל"ז · Essay 4
- Holiness of the Chanukah LightsChanukah · תרל"ט · Essay 2
- Devotion Through MitzvotChanukah · תרמ"ח · Essay 1
- World as PreparationChanukah · תרמ"ח · Essay 6
- Light of Torah Through MitzvotChanukah · תרנ"ג · Essay 5
- Light of Mitzvot and SoulChanukah · תרנ"ה · Essay 1
- Spiritual Garments from MitzvotChanukah · תרנ"ה · Essay 2
- Hanukkah Light Inspires ServiceChanukah · תרנ"ו · Essay 3
- Soul as Divine LampChanukah · תרנ"ז · Essay 5
- The Soul’s Everlasting ReminderChanukah · תרנ"ח · Essay 3
- Mezuzah and Hanukkah LightChanukah · תרנ"ח · Essay 6
- Levels of Chanukah ObservanceChanukah · תר"ס · Essay 2
- Light of Mitzvot Overcoming DarknessChanukah · תרס"א · Essay 3
- Dual Hearts in Divine ServiceChanukah · תרס"ג · Essay 2
- Light of Torah-Driven LifeChanukah · תרס"ה · Essay 4
Vayigash
Shemot
Yitro
Mishpatim
- Mitzvos steer the world; mishpatim followMishpatim · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Bnei Yisrael made into vessels for the mitzvosMishpatim · תרמ"ט · Essay 1
- Shabbos guards all the mitzvosMishpatim · תרנ"ד · Essay 3
- The pierced ear and constant readiness to serve HashemMishpatim · תרנ"ז · Essay 2
- Shabbos equals all the mitzvosMishpatim · תרנ"ז · Essay 3
- Mitzvos as protection from physicalityMishpatim · תרס"ג · Essay 2
Terumah
- The will to give elevates every mitzvahTerumah · תרל"ג · Essay 1
- Torah reveals the hidden light of creationTerumah · תרל"ה · Essay 1
- Torah as the vessel to grasp divine fireTerumah · תרל"ה · Essay 2
- Eternal love of Hashem planted in the heartTerumah · תרס"ג · Essay 1
- Torah condensed into practical mitzvosTerumah · תרס"ג · Essay 3
Tetzaveh
- Becoming the mitzvah itselfTetzaveh · תרל"ה · Essay 1
- Mitzvos awaken an enduring inner flameTetzaveh · תרל"ה · Essay 2
- Torah's light born from refinementTetzaveh · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Menorah's hidden light sustains every galusTetzaveh · תרל"ח · Essay 2
- Tzaddikim safeguard the soul's holy sparksTetzaveh · תרמ"א · Essay 1
- Mitzvos as vessels for hidden lightTetzaveh · תרמ"ב · Essay 1
- Torah is light, mitzvah is its lampTetzaveh · תרמ"ג · Essay 1
- Mitzvos prepare the body for the soul's lightTetzaveh · תרמ"ו · Essay 1
- Mitzvos as vessels for the soul's lightTetzaveh · תר"נ · Essay 1
- The mitzvah as a lamp revealing lightTetzaveh · תרנ"א · Essay 2
- Connecting creation to its root through avodahTetzaveh · תרנ"ד · Essay 1
- Mitzvos as light and fireTetzaveh · תרנ"ה · Essay 2
- Ner Mitzvah Versus Torah OrTetzaveh · תרנ"ו · Essay 2
Zachor
Purim
Parah
Vayakhel
Vayikra
- Da'as as living awareness of one's missionVayikra · תרל"א · Essay 2
- Naaseh and nishma as endless ascentVayikra · תרל"ח · Essay 3
- Completing mitzvos to reach inner hearingVayikra · תרנ"ח · Essay 1
- Serving Hashem with desire, not by chanceVayikra · תר"ס · Essay 3
- The soul as a limitless portion of the DivineVayikra · תרס"א · Essay 3
HaChodesh
Tzav
Shabbat HaGadol
- The power of being commandedShabbat HaGadol · תרמ"ו · Essay 2
- Three stages of the soul's redemptionShabbat HaGadol · תרמ"ו · Essay 3
- Seeking Hashem's wisdom in creationShabbat HaGadol · תרמ"ז · Essay 2
- Shabbos and the Exodus contain the whole TorahShabbat HaGadol · תרמ"ח · Essay 1
- Shabbos HaGadol: inner root of redemptionShabbat HaGadol · תרנ"א · Essay 1
Pesach
- Plagues and Divine MeasurePesach · תרל"ט · Essay 8
- The Transformative Power of Retelling the ExodusPesach · תר"מ · Essay 2
- Joy in Mitzvah PreparationPesach · תרמ"ג · Essay 4
- Spiritual Renewal of ExodusPesach · תרמ"ה · Essay 2
- Plagues as Spiritual CounterforcesPesach · תרמ"ז · Essay 9
- Purpose of RedemptionPesach · תרנ"ט · Essay 1
Shmini
- Acting for ratzon Hashem not distasteShmini · תרל"א · Essay 4
- Hashem's command outweighs all human intellectShmini · תרל"ו · Essay 2
- Command outweighs reasons in mitzvosShmini · תרל"ט · Essay 2
- Elevating the holy spark in kosher foodShmini · תרמ"ח · Essay 3
- Mitzvos Refine Creation Through ManShmini · תרנ"ו · Essay 2
- Eating elevates the holy sparkShmini · תרנ"ז · Essay 3
- The command outweighs all mystical intentionsShmini · תרנ"ט · Essay 2
Tazria
Acharei Mot
- Mitzvos as acceptance of Hashem's kingship and source of lifeAcharei Mot · תרל"ב · Essay 1
- The true reward is bittul to HashemAcharei Mot · תרל"ב · Essay 2
- The inner point that sanctifies every deedAcharei Mot · תרל"ה · Essay 1
- Sanctifying mundane action like a roseAcharei Mot · תרל"ח · Essay 2
- Living Through Mitzvos Without DeathAcharei Mot · תרמ"ב · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as endless ascent in life and wisdomAcharei Mot · תרמ"ד · Essay 1
- Deed before revelation: na'aseh before nishmaAcharei Mot · תרמ"ז · Essay 1
- Mitzvos rebuild man's immortal spiritual formAcharei Mot · תרנ"ג · Essay 1
- Dying for Torah brings inner lifeAcharei Mot · תרנ"ד · Essay 2
- Mitzvos complete the form of manAcharei Mot · תרנ"ח · Essay 1
- Living mitzvos that cleave to their sourceAcharei Mot · תרנ"ט · Essay 1
- Mighty warriors holy amid corruptionAcharei Mot · תר"ס · Essay 1
- Mitzvos that sanctify the whole dayAcharei Mot · תר"ס · Essay 2
- Drawing Divinity through doing and refrainingAcharei Mot · תרס"א · Essay 2
- Mitzvos draw the neshamah's life into the bodyAcharei Mot · תרס"א · Essay 3
- Fixed avodah rooted in the eternalAcharei Mot · תרס"ד · Essay 2
Kedoshim
- Sanctifying the physical through the inner divine sparkKedoshim · תרל"א · Essay 2
- Awakening holiness in all creationKedoshim · תרל"ד · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as garment for hidden holinessKedoshim · תרל"ה · Essay 3
- Fences against impurity draw down holinessKedoshim · תרל"ו · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as the conduit of lifeKedoshim · תרל"ו · Essay 4
- Mitzvos draw down the soul's heavenly rootKedoshim · תרל"ז · Essay 2
- Will and toil sanctify our deedsKedoshim · תרל"ח · Essay 2
- Inner intent and outer deed in mitzvosKedoshim · תרל"ט · Essay 1
- Reaching ahavas Yisrael through preparatory mitzvosKedoshim · תרמ"א · Essay 3
- Binding mitzvos to their supernal rootKedoshim · תרמ"ח · Essay 2
- Clinging to the Name of pure beingKedoshim · תרנ"ד · Essay 1
- Mitzvos as the vessel for the Torah's lightKedoshim · תרנ"ז · Essay 1
- Mitzvos as vessels for holinessKedoshim · תרנ"ח · Essay 1
- Torah's kedushah above the angelsKedoshim · תרס"א · Essay 2
- Drawing soul's holiness into the bodyKedoshim · תרס"ג · Essay 1
Emor
Behar
Bechukotai
- Toiling in Torah elevates the physical worldBechukotai · תרל"ו · Essay 2
- Each Jew's unique tikkun must enter Klal YisraelBechukotai · תר"מ · Essay 2
- From the individual to the collectiveBechukotai · תרמ"ז · Essay 1
- Mitzvos perfect soul through thought, speech, deedBechukotai · תרמ"ט · Essay 2
- Receiving reward lishmah as avodahBechukotai · תרנ"ה · Essay 1
- Torah learned to be lived draws inner light into deedsBechukotai · תרנ"ז · Essay 1
Bamidbar
Shavuot
- World entrusted to Bnei YisraelShavuot · תרל"ז · Essay 1
- Seeing the sounds at Matan TorahShavuot · תר"מ · Essay 7
- General and particular in Torah and creationShavuot · תרמ"א · Essay 4
- Torah's da'as makes the world bear fruitShavuot · תרמ"ב · Essay 6
- Na'aseh before nishma: doing awakens Hashem's wordShavuot · תרנ"ז · Essay 1
- Zachor and shamor: two levels of Shabbos kedushahShavuot · תר"ס · Essay 6
Naso
Beha'alotcha
- Rectifying and unifying all desire toward HashemBeha'alotcha · תרל"ג · Essay 2
- Torah's light elevated through mitzvosBeha'alotcha · תרל"ט · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as the candle for Torah's lightBeha'alotcha · תרמ"א · Essay 1
- Mitzvos as the soul's lamp purifying the bodyBeha'alotcha · תרמ"ב · Essay 1
- Elevating the Self Through MitzvosBeha'alotcha · תרמ"ב · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as vessels for the light of TorahBeha'alotcha · תרמ"ו · Essay 2
- Mitzvos as lamps for the soul's lightBeha'alotcha · תרמ"ז - תרמ"ח - תרנ"ב · Essay 2
- Menorah's eternal supernal lightBeha'alotcha · תרנ"א · Essay 1
- One mitzvah perfected contains all 613Beha'alotcha · תרנ"ו · Essay 1
- The soul as the lamp of Hashem and ShabbosBeha'alotcha · תרס"ב · Essay 2
- Revealed inner light requires guardingBeha'alotcha · תרס"ג · Essay 2
Shlach
- Every Jew is an emissary of mitzvosShlach · תרל"ב · Essay 1
- Man as Hashem's agent in the worldShlach · תרל"ג · Essay 2
- Physical mitzvos sanctify the materialShlach · תרל"ג · Essay 5
- The eternal inner point and mitzvos as Torah's messengersShlach · תרל"ח · Essay 1
- Mitzvos weave the soul's higher garmentShlach · תרל"ח · Essay 3
- Tzitzis binds the soul's inner powersShlach · תרל"ט · Essay 4
- Tzitzis binding the outer edge to its inner rootShlach · תר"מ · Essay 3
- Tzitzis and tefillin as the two covenants of the soulShlach · תרמ"ו · Essay 2
- Tzitzis as the bond to creation's rootShlach · תרנ"א · Essay 2
- Tzitzis illuminate the three soul-levelsShlach · תרס"ב · Essay 1
- Hidden light revealed through mitzvosShlach · תרס"ג · Essay 1