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"A person should always regard himself as if he were equally balanced between guilt and innocence. If he does one mitzvah -he tips the scales in favor of his innocence; but if he has committed one transgression, woe to him, for he has tipped the scales to the side of his guilt" (Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4). A Jew has to embrace the entire spectrum of the 613 mitzvos that relate to all aspects of human existence. The acceptance of all but one instruction constitutes a deficiency of a slave to his master. In man's submission to G-d, 100% commitment is necessary. (Rabbeinu Yonah, Sha'arei Teshuvah 1:6). There is no "free time" or holiday from Jewish living. It is all encompassing. At the same time, Torah and mitzvos is not "all or nothing". Should a Jew not in the position to observe a particular mitzvah, for whatever reason, he should not feel hypocritical and negate observing another mitzvah which he feels comfortable with. No mitzvah should therefore be dismissed or passed over. This is because every single commandment, without exception is infinitely precious. It brings man closer to G-d and as the Sages comment, "one mitzvah leads to another mitzvah" (Avos 4:2). No one knows which mitzvah is more important and which is less consequential (Avos 2:1) as this often depends on the individual person. The priceless nature of each mitzvah is derived from the fact that the command originates from G-d and how man forms a "connection" and ever-lasting relationship with his Creator through observing G-d's Will. This is a projection of the Jew's love of G-d aware that developing a relationship with G-d constitutes the underlying purpose of human life. No wonder a mitzvah is so immensely powerful! Every one of the 613 commandments that a Jew performs is of infinite importance. Its power is incredible and awesome such that the mind cannot fathom the intensity of the eternal bond forged to G-d through the mechanism of mitzvah observance. In the words of the mystical wisdom, "There is no mitzvah that does not have within it the most exalted secrets and spiritual lights" (Zohar 2:218b). Each mitzvah stands as a heavenly advocate for a person (Avos 4:11). Why is this the case? It is because his action and thoughts in mitzvah observance demonstrate how the Jew is dutifully following the command of his Creator. Indeed, the thoughts and actions enacted in this world impact and shape the heavenly spheres in a profound manner. While mitzvos embellish the soul's holiness and purity, conversely, transgressions destroy and tarnish his spiritual nature (See Nefesh Chaim Ch.1 endnote). The spiritual ripples reverberate in an endless fashion. As it is impossible to even begin to evaluate the reward for mitzvah observance, it is equally important for an ordinary Jew to avoid transgressing one sin. The importance of a mitzvah is brought out by the following story. Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski the chief rabbi of Vilna was most distraught when his trusted doctors ordered him to go to the health springs in Karlsbad and to remain there over Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. He would be missing the intense spirit and awe in his beloved Vilna, and was most unsettled to have to remain in an alien setting. During his stay at the spring, he chanced upon an American Jew who did not know his identity. In the course of their conversation, the foreigner remarked his imminent intention to marry his brother's wife who had been left a widow with small children, even though the Torah explicitly forbids such a marriage. Rabbi Chaim Ozer tried to persuade him to reconsider. But the man was insistent to carry out his wishes. "I am adamant to proceed" he announced, "and I will only be swayed if none other than the chief rabbi of Vilna himself tells me otherwise!" At that point Rabbi Chaim Ozer smiled and introduced himself as the chief rabbi of Vilna. The American Jew was taken aback by surprise! Gently, the righteous scholar explained to his newfound friend that his urging not to go ahead with his plan was to prevent him transgressing what would have amounted to a serious sin. To Rabbi Chaim Ozer's delight, the American agreed not to contravene one of the commandments in the Torah. This filled the great Torah scholar's heart with joy. He then understood why heavenly providence had demanded his presence in Karlsbad during the Days of Awe. It was to prevent a fellow Jew from sinning. The late Rabbi Elazer Menachem Man Shach memorably remarked the incredible sequence of events in this story. It was worthwhile for the greatest Torah authority of the generation to be afflicted with bad health so that he would have to spend time in the health springs away from the Torah center of Vilna. Why? So that an ordinary Jew would not violate one mitzvah in the Torah!" Jewish outreach professionals can vouch how one mitzvah, one Friday night invitation, one act of chesed, kindness, is often the catalyst for someone transforming their lifestyle to become religious and Torah observant. No mitzvah is unimportant for it relates to the raison d'être of existence and purpose. An eighty-year-old man was granted an audience with the chassidic master, Rabbi Avraham of Kalish. After greeting the Torah scholar, the octogenarian bitterly complained about the sorrows and misfortune that had stricken his life. He ended off by announcing that he was sick of living. "I've had enough!" he lamented, "I'm too old to be of any use." The righteous scholar chastised him by providing him an insight into the value of life. "You should know that is worthwhile for a person to live a full eighty-years just to have granted one opportunity to perform one mitzvah even if this was performed with minimal intent!" If a lifetime of toil and pain is the price
well worth paying for the observance of just one mitzvah, a person
cannot begin to imagine the value of a lifetime saturated with mitzvah
observance and performance of good deeds! No Jew can therefore afford
to ignore or dare to overlook the importance of "one mitzvah
out of 613".
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