The Three Foundations of Serving Hashem

“For the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14)

Rabbeinu Bachya, in his commentary on the words “in your mouth and in your heart, to do it,” emphasizes three fundamental components of a person’s service of Hashem: the mouth, the heart, and action. He explains that all the mitzvot can be divided into these three categories:

1. Mitzvot dependent on the mouth: Mitzvot fulfilled through speech, such as reciting the Shema, prayer, and Torah study.

2. Mitzvot dependent on the heart: Mitzvot involving inner intention and emotion, such as love of Hashem and fear of Heaven.

3. Mitzvot dependent on action: Mitzvot that require a physical act, such as giving charity or putting on tefillin.

Rabbeinu Bachya writes:

“‘In your mouth and in your heart, to do it.’ Three things are mentioned here: the mouth, the heart, and action. All the mitzvot are included within these three categories, for there are mitzvot dependent on the mouth, some dependent on the heart, and some dependent on action.”

According to our Sages, the world stands upon three things, which correspond to these three components:

Torah: This corresponds to “in your mouth,” referring to Torah study, which is performed through speech.

Avodah, service of Hashem: This corresponds to “in your heart,” referring to prayer and the service of Hashem that takes place within the heart.

Acts of kindness: This corresponds to “to do it,” referring to the physical actions through which kindness is performed.

In this way, Rabbeinu Bachya teaches that our entire service of Hashem encompasses speech, inner intention, and practical action.

As he writes:

“Regarding this, our Sages taught: ‘The world stands upon three things: Torah, avodah, and acts of kindness.’ Torah corresponds to ‘in your mouth’; avodah corresponds to ‘in your heart,’ which is the service of the heart; and acts of kindness correspond to ‘to do it.’”