The True Meaning of Wholeheartedness

In Parashat Shoftim, the Torah gives a simple yet powerful mitzvat aseh: “tamim (wholehearted) tihyeh im HaShem Elokecha” – “You shall be wholehearted with HaShem your G-d”.

This pasuk, though only five words long, is one of the most personal pesukim in the Torah. It doesn’t speak of laws, rituals, or sacrifices. It speaks of the heart.

Rashi explains that this pasuk is about not trying to predict the future or chase after answers through kishuf (sorcery). Instead, we are to walk simply and faithfully with HaShem. But what does it mean to be tamim (wholehearted)?

The Arizal teaches that temimut (wholeheartedness) is the foundation of real Avodat HaShem (service to HaShem). Not just doing mitzvot externally - but being genuine inside. A person can keep Shabbat and Kashrut perfectly, but if the heart is divided, if part of us is still seeking approval from others, chasing kavod (honour), or living in fear, we are not yet tamim (wholehearted).

The ideal Jew isn’t necessarily the loudest or the most scholarly. It’s the one who lives with emunah peshutah (simple faith), who treats others with dignity, who does not pretend to be more than they are. That is tamim (wholehearted).

And that’s what this pasuk is asking from us. Not perfection, but honesty. Not brilliance, but consistency. Not worry, but trust in HaShem. As the Yamim Noraim approach we should strive to be tamim (wholehearted) and be able to turn to HaShem with a full heart and grow closer to HaShem. 

Shabbat Shalom!

A Short Dvar Torah: Tetzaveh:

In 28:6, Rashi goes to lengths teaching exactly how the Eifod, Avnet, Avnei Shoham, Choshem and other things were connected to each other. He says ‘If I were to explain the construction of the Ephod and the Breastplate according to the order of the verses, their description would be fragmented and the reader may err when piecing the details together. I am therefore writing here their construction in full, in order that the reader may be able to read it quickly and easily, and afterwards I will explain it in the order of the verses.’ (From Chabad.org) If Rashi is so concerned about people misunderstanding  something - how much more so should we, when we teach something. This is hinted to in Pirkei Avos (1:11)  - ‘Avtalion would say: Chachamim, be careful with what you say (/ teach), because maybe you’ll say something, and your students will interpret them wrong, and they will be Chayav Misah - and there will be a Chilul Hashem’ - and then there will be another Chilul Hashem - because when someone makes a Chilul Hashem - even by mistake - they’re Chayav Misah - which will also be a Chilul Hashem, because people will say ‘Look what happens to Talmidei Chachamim - they’re all Chayav Misah’. So, we learn just how careful we need to be about people misunderstanding us when we teach.

By Ari Shagalow.

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