BS’D
What does Hashem want from us? Do we really need a set of commandments to tell us how to act and react? Are we not capable of making our own logical decisions?
If we glimpse into what Freud and Adler have to say on human motivation we will find that what drives mankind are not altruistic motives but the fulfillment of personal desires and honor. Pirkei Avot (4:28) teaches that ‘natural’ tendencies ‘Take a person out of this world’. We are G-dly and truly seek to cleave to our Divine image, therefore anything else which appears to be exciting and worthwhile is simply a facade! Hashem didn’t simply place us in this world and close the door with a farewell, “So long, good luck, see you after 120!” Yet, provided us with a manual of instructions telling us, so to speak, “Turn left at this intersection, turn right after the bend in the road”, etc.
The Torah is a book of Emuna, teaching us to fulfill our essence and portray our G-dliness, which is what we truly wish to do if only we delved inside and quieted all of the ‘noise and resistance’ permeating from the outside world. The mitzvot are physical expressions of Emuna. They are the language of the soul yearning to fulfill its mission and not waste precious moments on passing worldly delights that are meaningless.
If we truly examine our ‘natural inclination’ we will discover that what we want is precisely what Hashem wants for us. We NEED to transcend our physical. We NEED to act G-dly. We NEED to break beyond our limitations. Yet, we often forget and loose touch with our soul and therefore are not always truthful with ourselves.
Free will lies in the answer to the following question, “Do we portray G-dliness by emulating G-dly attributes of unconditional giving, loving and humility OR G-d forbid do we falsely act as though we are G-d and seek control over life?” Within the answer to this question we will also find the answer to, “What does Hashem want from us?” as well. When each of us ‘Walks in the ways of Hashem’ B’H we will create barriers and stop evil in its track.
