Walking the Walk (Leviticus Ch.26-27)

"If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them"(Lev. 26:3). This verse seems to be repeating itself - what is the practical difference between "following statutes" and "observing commandments"? A statute or decree is a formal law passed by a governing body that does not require any proof for its justification. As opposed to "common law" which develops in an organic manner through a series of judicial decisions.  G-d is telling us that the basis for observing all the commandments is to view them as statutes, as "carved in stone" and not subject to change based on the spirit of the generation.

In this century, we have seen a number of attempts at building a society around human logic.  Fascism and communism both developed as practical applications of lofty utopian visions. However, when practically applied, these approaches proved to be the most destructive and immoral forms of governance ever known to man. Morality, by definition, must be "carved in stone". It cannot be left up to human understanding to decide what is ethical. If one peers into the philosophy and thinking upon which Western democracy is founded, it is a philosophy based around the ethics of the Bible, around a Divine morality.

Chassidus explains that one meditation concerning the world's unity with G-d is that of letters carved into a precious stone.  The letters are barely distinct from the surface of the stone.  The expression, "carved in stone", is not coincidental. It implies something so intrinsic that it does not require logic for its justification. A statue is a law that does not need to be proven because it is so obviously necessary, either because of its Divine origin, or because it is essential to the society's well-being.  Believing in one G-d, in one authority leads to a belief that the world operates only according to one set of rules.  These laws are so carved into the fabric of creation that as soon as we begin to follow them, to define ourselves as well as our goals and ambitions by these laws, we automatically experience blessings in our day-to-day life as a result, as G-d promises us in the next verse:

"...and the land will give its produce...I will provide peace in the land, and you will lie down with none to frighten you...I will make you fruitful and increase you; and I will establish my covenant with you."(Lev. 26:4-9)