| "You shall safeguard and observe them, for they are your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the nations." (Devarim 4:6)
Why does the Torah emphasize that our observance will be seen as wisdom “in the eyes of the nations”? Isn’t the true purpose of mitzvah observance to fulfill the Will of HaShem, regardless of how others perceive it?
Indeed, our primary aim is to serve HaShem. Yet, this verse reveals a deeper truth: Torah observance, when properly lived, radiates profound wisdom—so much so that even the nations of the world will recognize its brilliance. The Torah is not only a spiritual guide; it is a complete system of truth that encompasses both heavenly and earthly wisdom.
To truly fulfill the Torah, a person must develop understanding in both spiritual matters and worldly affairs. The Vilna Gaon explains that a Torah judge, for example, must be not only well-versed in halacha but also wise in human nature. He must discern various personality types and detect the tactics of the deceitful. His Torah rulings are just because they are rooted in both depth of halacha and sharpness of worldly perception. Our Sages teach: "Derech eretz kadmah laTorah"— refined character and human decency are prerequisites to Torah mastery. This is not simply etiquette—it is part of the Torah’s wisdom.
Thus, the verse is not about impressing the nations. Rather, it testifies to the Torah’s completeness: “they are your wisdom”—Torah study grants access to the highest levels of insight, even in areas we might call “secular.”
Rabbi Yisrael Salanter exemplified this truth. From the depths of Torah, he derived profound psychological principles long before the modern era. His teachings laid the foundation for the Mussar movement, which modern "positive psychology" echoes in many ways. He demonstrated that character development is not an accessory to Torah, but its very essence.
True Torah scholarship is not limited to abstract learning—it demands mastery of both the spiritual and the practical, the eternal and the everyday.
Today: May we merit to absorb the full breadth of the Torah's wisdom, and fulfill it with truth, holiness, and peace. (Based on Ohr Rashaz, by the Alter of Kelm)
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