Sometimes we overthink things.
We imagine that spiritual life must be lofty, mystical, deeply emotional, or profoundly intellectual. We tell ourselves: “When I’m inspired… when I understand more… when I feel something… then I’ll do more mitzvos.”
But Judaism works the other way around.
Do the mitzvah first.
The inspiration follows.
Kabbalah explains that Avraham represents the soul and Sarah represents the body. Astonishingly, when Sarah passes away, it is Avraham (the soul) who cries for the body. The soul doesn’t look down on the body. It loves it, misses it, and remains forever connected to it.
Jewish tradition doesn’t view the body as an obstacle but as a partner. And not just any partner, ultimately, the body becomes the primary vehicle for G-d’s purpose.
That is why G-d tells Avraham, “Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her voice.” In other words: when it comes to fulfilling G-d’s mission in this world, the body leads.
The point?
Judaism is not an escape from the physical world.
It is a transformation of it.
You can meditate on the spiritual meaning of tefillin, or Shabbat candles for hours, but if you don’t actually put them on, or light them, beautiful intentions aside, you have not fulfilled the mitzvah. Worse, you have missed the mitzvah altogether.
But if you do put them on, even without lofty intentions, you’ve done exactly what G-d wants.
There is a time for study.
There is a time for inspiration.
There is a time for understanding.
But first: There is a mitzvah to do.
In the messianic era, when Moshiach comes, the soul will receive its life-force from the body, not the other way around. In G-d’s ultimate plan, the simple, concrete, physical act carries more holiness than the most elevated spiritual meditation.
That means your mitzvah, your physical mitzvah, the one you do, is priceless.
When you light Shabbos candles, give tzedakah, say Shema, put on tefillin, affix a mezuzah, or help another Jew, you bring G-d into the world in a way no abstract spirituality ever can.
The next time you feel uninspired, the next time you feel unprepared, the next time you feel like you “don’t understand enough”, do a mitzvah anyway.
Not because you’re perfect.
Not because you’re holy.
Not because you’re inspired.
Do it because G-d asked you to.
Do it because your body is G-d’s toolbox.
Do it because every mitzvah brings the world closer to Moshiach.
Do it because sometimes the deepest spirituality begins with the simplest action.
Mitzvos. Just do them.
Have a good Shabbos,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
P.S. No services at Chabad this week.