HaRav Shlomo Aviner is Head of Yeshivat Ateret Yerushalayim.
The introduction to the book “Orchot Tzaddikim" is not just an opening to the book. It is in itself a great foundation in the work of improving character and virtues. It teaches us what man is, what his nature is, what the heart is, what the powers of the soul are, what the illnesses of the soul are, and how to heal man.
The book opens with the verse from “Kohelet": “The conclusion, everything having been heard, is: Fear the Lord and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." The author presents the words of King Solomon as the root of all human endeavor: After acquiring all wisdom, world experience, riches, and royalty, the conclusion is to fear the Lord and keep His commandments.
A. “The conclusion" - What remains in the end?
The language of the verse can be understood as: “The end of the matter."
Man goes through many things in life. Desires, dreams, successes, failures, honor, disgrace, status, knowledge, wisdom, friends, family, and a myriad of deeds. And the great question is: What remains in the end?
King Solomon was a man of whom it is impossible to say that he did not enjoy the world. He was wiser than any man, a famous king, possessor of fantastic wealth. And he says precisely, after all this - “Fear God."
This is a great lesson.
If a poor man were to say: All is vanity, only the fear of heaven is what finally matters - people would say to him: You say so because you have nothing. If a man who has not succeeded were to say: All is vanity, they would say to him: Because you have not attained any status in the world you say this. But when King Solomon makes this declaration, the matter takes on a different meaning. He saw, tasted, tried, achieved - and his conclusion: Fear God.
Therefore, the introduction to “Orchot Tzaddikim" begins with this point: All the work of perfecting character traits is not a mere human achievement. It is not just about being a more pleasant person, more orderly, more balanced. The work is to attain the fear of God, to do His will, and to become a man whose whole purpose is to serve the Holy One with all of his talents and powers.
B. “For this is the entirety of man" - This is not part of man.
The verse does not say: For this is a great aspect of man.
It does not say: For this is a matter that accompanies a person’s journey through life.
But: “For this is the entirety of man."
The whole essence of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. This does not diminish man. On the contrary. This defines his greatness.
Man is not just a body.
He is not just a mind.
He is not just a talent.
He is not just a psychology.
He is not just a social creature.
Man is a soul sent into the world to serve God. Therefore, all of his powers are necessarily enlisted in this plan.
If man is wise, his wisdom is necessary to serve God.
If he is a man of emotion, his emotions are necessary to refine him for the service of God.
f he is a man of power, his power is necessary to illuminate the light of God.
If he is a man of wealth, his riches must be devoted to charity and works pleasing to Hashem.
“The conclusion, everything having been heard, is: Fear the Lord and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man."