Halacha Worship

A very common complaint against the practice of traditional Judaism, is the over emphasis of Halacha. Students wonder why they are not being taught subjects that inspire, rather than being bombarded with detailed Jewish Law, that might only be stringencies at best.

I am fully aware and appreciate the importance of observing the Torah down to its last detail. But something has changed in recent years, where there is even a kind of “Halacha worship.”

The Messilat Yesharim explains that the observance of Halacha is meant to be the “means” towards achieving the desired end of “delighting with the closeness of Hashem.”

Many people have taken things to far by “worshipping the law,” rather than worshipping G-d. Many students have expressed that this overemphasis of Halacha, has been a major “turn off” to them.

Judaism needs to be taught in its totality, and it must be taught in a way that inspires. People need to feel the beauty of Shabbat by experiencing it, rather than focusing on all of the things we are not allowed to do on the holiest day of the week.

Perhaps the importance of Halacha could be appreciated when it is understood in the context of Jewish History. It is very likely that we survived as a people during our long and bitter exile, because the Halachic system was cherished and observed during our darkest times.

Inspiration can also come by learning more about our Jewish heroes throughout our history. Similarly, stories of incredibly righteous and pious Jews can bring about such inspiration.

The observance of Halacha is of great importance. The worship of Halacha and stuffing it down people’s throats has a very opposite and negative effect. Educators need to wake up and inspire their students before they lose them, G-d forbid.