Daily Tanya Monday 4th Kisleiv Kuntrus Achron 4: Why Practical Mitzvot Take Precedence Over Torah and Prayer

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4th Kisleiv

Why Practical Mitzvot Take Precedence Over Torah and Prayer

Overview:

This teaching explores the profound relationship between Torah study, prayer, and practical mitzvot, revealing their respective roles in drawing Divine light into creation and fulfilling the ultimate purpose of existence. While Torah and prayer connect us to lofty spiritual realms—Torah to the inner vessels of Atzilut and prayer to the lower worlds—the essence of refinement and transformation occurs through action.

The discussion begins by explaining why, when a mitzvah cannot be delegated, one must interrupt even the most elevated spiritual pursuits, such as studying the mysteries of the Maaseh Merkavah or engaging in heartfelt prayer. This principle underscores a central truth: the purpose of creation is to refine sparks of holiness through practical mitzvot, thereby drawing the Infinite Light into the physical world.

Along the way, the teaching clarifies:

  • The hierarchy of spiritual service—why action surpasses intellect and emotion.
  • The limits of human comprehension—even the greatest souls and angels can only grasp the external aspect of Divinity, never its essence.
  • The cosmic structure of mitzvot—how the 613 commandments channel Divine energy from the pristine whiteness of Keter through the attributes of kindness and severity into the vessels of Ze’ir Anpin, ultimately reaching our world.

  1. Priority of Action
  • When a mitzvah cannot be delegated, one must interrupt Torah study—even the deepest Kabbalistic mysteries (Maaseh Merkavah)—and prayer.
  • Reason: The ultimate purpose of creation is to extract and refine sparks through practical mitzvot.

 

  1. Why Action Surpasses Intellect
  • Practical mitzvot and their study far transcend intellectually generated awe and love.
  • Cleaving to G‑d through His attributes (middot) only connects to their external existence (metziut), not their essence (mahut).
  • Even the loftiest beings cannot grasp the essence of the Ein Sof-light—only its existence as the source of life.

 

  1. Limits of Comprehension
  • No thought can apprehend G‑d’s essence, only that He gives life to all.
  • This applies even to souls of Atzilut and the highest angels, who proclaim: “Holy, holy, holy is the L‑rd of Hosts.”
  • Moses himself was told: “You will see My hinderpart”—an external manifestation, not the essence.

 

Key Insight

Practical mitzvot are the core purpose of creation because they draw Divine light into the physical realm and refine reality. Intellectual pursuits—Torah study and prayer—connect to lofty levels, but only to the external aspect of Divinity, never its essence. Action is where the Infinite meets the finite.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.