Knowledge is power-or maybe not: Taamei hamitzvos, the purposes, benefits, and setbacks of understanding reasons for mitzvos

Abstract

Imagine the classic scenario, a parent tells their child to do something or not do something. For example, Yossi asks his father to go to Reuven’s house. Yossi’s father has some reservations about whether Reuven’s house is a proper environment for the friends to be spending time together. He tells Yossi, “Unfortunately, no you cannot go to Reuven’s house.” Yossi understands that his father said no but he doesn’t understand why. After all he has spent many Shabbos afternoons and school recesses with Reuven and he views Reuven as a close friend. Yossi pushes back and asks, “But, why?” Yossi’s father is firm and tells Yossi that a no is a no and he may not go. Seeing from the outside perspective and understanding Yossi’s father’s reasoning, we can understand his decision. But also, even if we didn’t understand his reasoning we would know that a father’s word takes precedence over a child’s desire. In the context of mitzvos, we are often like Yossi who doesn’t understand the restrictions and requests imposed on him. We question and push back, “But, why? It doesn’t make any sense! Would it make so much more sense to do…” And yet, we know that Hashem is powerful, and His wisdom overrides ours. Even with this understanding we struggle to connect to these commands that may seem illogical to us. Additionally, we know that deep down He has a reason, even if we are not privy to seeing it. We will discuss these two components behind a command, the logic and the fact that we do it because it was commanded. Additionally, in some cases we will discuss these two different parts as two different types of commandments. The טעם of a mitzvah is the reasoning behind the mitzvah but there is much greater depth that we can gain from the discussion of taamei hamitzvos. We can gain a closer connection to the mitzvos which we understand and also a closer connection to Hashem in the mitzvos that we can’t comprehend. Through the sources and different understandings, we will also see that we understand so little, just the “tip of the iceberg,” and because of that, our reverence, awe, and observance can grow.