עברית
Parashat Mishpatim
“And in All That I Have Said”: Why Every Commandment Matters
The Ohr HaChaim explains the link between Torah, Mitzvot, the human body, and spiritual protection
- Amitai Haniah
- |Updated
“And in all that I have said to you, you shall be careful; and the name of other gods you shall not mention, it shall not be heard upon your lips” (Shemot 23:13).
A question arises from the wording of this verse. Why does it say “and in all that I have said to you, you shall be careful”, rather than simply “ all that I have said to you, you shall be careful”?
What is the difference between these two formulations?
The Meaning of “And in All”
The word “and in all ” implies that Israel is protected through the observance of all the commandments. By contrast, the phrase “all” alone would simply mean that one is obligated to keep all the commandments.
In other words, “and in all” teaches not only obligation, but also the idea of protection and safeguarding that comes specifically through complete fulfillment of the mitzvot.
The Explanation of the Ohr HaChaim
This idea is explained by the Ohr HaChaim, who reveals a profound connection between the commandments of the Torah and the human body.
There are 248 positive commandments, corresponding to the 248 limbs of the human body, and 365 prohibitions, corresponding to the 365 sinews. When a person fulfills the commandments of the Torah in their entirety, each commandment protects and sustains its corresponding limb or sinew.
This is why the Torah uses the phrase “and in all” . A person might mistakenly think that observing only some of the commandments is sufficient for protection. The verse therefore emphasizes that true safeguarding comes only through the fulfillment of every commandment.
Complete Observance as Spiritual Protection
The wording of the verse highlights the necessity of fulfilling each and every commandment in full, without omitting even one. Only through complete observance are Israel truly protected.
Since the commandments correspond to the limbs of the body, each mitzvah plays a unique role. When a mitzvah is missing, the spiritual protection of the limb associated with it is lacking as well.
As the Ohr HaChaim writes: “The reason it says ‘and in all that I have said to you, you shall be careful,’ rather than ‘all that I have said to you, you shall be careful,’ is in accordance with what our sages taught (Makkot 23): the 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs of a person, and the 365 prohibitions correspond to the 365 sinews.”
Why Partial Observance Is Not Enough
For this reason, the Ohr HaChaim stresses that partial observance is insufficient. If a person fulfills only some of the commandments or neglects even one, it is as though a specific limb is left spiritually unprotected.
Each commandment has its own essential function. When one is missing, the protection corresponding to it is diminished.
As he concludes: “This is what the verse alludes to: a person should not say, ‘I will observe certain commandments and that will suffice for my protection.’ Rather, ‘and in all that I have said’ means that only through all the commandments will you be protected, and if even one is lacking, the protection of the corresponding limb is lacking.”
