Categories of Commandments
Question
Hi Rabbi, I’ve been studying the Torah. Can you please tell me the difference between commandments, statutes and judgments with respect to the writings of Moses. Many thanks, Rosemary, Adelaide
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question!
As you correctly note, the mitzvot of the Torah are generally divided up into 3 categories:
Mishpatim (judgments), Edut (testimonies), and Chukim (decrees).
The mitzvot under “Mishpatim” refer to moral and ethical commandments that are somewhat obvious and needed for society to function properly. Such mitzvot include: don’t kill, don’t steal, deal with each other honestly.
The mitzva under “Edut” refer to the mitzvot we observe that “testify” to mankind that God is in control of the world. This includes the weekly Shabbat, which testifies that God Created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, Passover and Sukkot, which testifies that God took the Jewish people out of Egypt, and the like. Only the Jewish people are commanded to observe such mitzvot and its these mitzvot that give the Jewish people they’re distinction among the nations.
The mitzvot under “Chukim” refer to mitzvot that don’t see to make any sense but we observe them nonetheless because God commanded us to do so. For example, the Torah forbids us to wear garments consisting of both wool and linen, to eat mixtures of milk and meat, and the idea that the ashes of a red cow can purify the impure. These mitzvot don’t seems to have any rational explanation, but we do them anyways.
Truth be told, we don’t know the reason for almost ANY of the mitzvot. There are very few mitzvot in the Torah for which a reason is mentioned. As much as we might think we know why we perform even the most simple and “obvious” mitzvot, there may very well be reasons that God had in mind that we cannot fathom. Observing the entire Torah, regardless of understanding, is the sign of one’s true loyalty to God.