By Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, Dean, Ani Maamin Foundation
The more precious something is, the more carefully it is guarded to avoid loss or damage. A rare plant is protected by netting. Expensive jewelry is kept in a safe. And what could be more precious than the mitzvos?
As Jews, we are commanded to ensure that we never transgress a negative command or neglect a positive one: “ushemartem es mishmarti, guard the mission I have given you.” Torah shebaal peh explains that this is an obligation upon the Sanhedrin to enact protective laws that prevent transgression of the Torah itself. In Parshas Shoftim, the Torah commands us not to turn away from the dictates of our batei din “to the right or the left.” The Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah understand this to include all rabbinic laws. When we disobey a mitzvah derabbanan, we actually break a de’oraisa command.
Maseches Shabbos states that the correct bracha for the Chanukah candles is “asher kideshanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu lehadlik ner shel Chanukah.” The Gemara asks, “Where did Hashem command this?” There is obviously no such mitzvah in the Torah, neis Chanukah having occurred after all of the events in our Tanach. The Gemara answers with the pasuk above: do not turn away from the instruction of our Sages to the right or left. The mitzvah to obey mitzvos derabbanan such as Chanukah is from Hashem Himself.
The Torah itself states a protective measure: if a person takes a vow of nezirus, he is forbidden to drink wine—but the Torah additionally forbids him to eat or drink grapes. Mesilas Yesharim writes, “Although the main issur is drinking wine, the Torah forbade anything that could be connected to it. This is an example for the chachamim, to teach them to make their own protective laws... that they should know that this is the will of Hashem.”
Much of Shas is made up of mitzvos and issurei derabbanan. Brachos and tefillos were authored by the Anshei Knesses Hagedolah. Without rabbinic prohibitions, it would be possible to evade the 39 melachos of Shabbos while having a normal weekday. We could fast on Yom Kippur while playing games and strolling in the park, saying one short Vidui to fulfill the minimum Torah requirement. But despite their critical importance, these aspects are not min hatorah. It was left to our Sages to enhance these mitzvos in a meaningful way.
The Gemara in Maseches Brachos relates that the Torah states that Hashem shows favor to no one. If so, the malachim asked, why does Hashem favor Klal Yisrael? Hashem answered, “How can I not? I wrote that one must bentch when satiated, yet they bentch after eating only a kezayis.” Our mitzvos derabbanan are a way of showing dedication to Hashem. Because we go above and beyond the minimum requirements, He does the same for us.
