Mishpatim

If you meet your enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, you will surely bring it back to him again. If you see the animal of one who hates you lying under its load, you shall not permit yourself to leave it to him; instead, you shall let all else go and hasten to his aid.

Exodus 23:4-5

How is it conceivable that one Jew should have another Jew for an enemy, when the Torah states – “you shall not hate your brother in your heart (Leviticus 19:17)?

Rambam: (Mishneh Torah, Rotzeach 13)

If you were to feel that since the owner of the beast is present – someone who hates you – that you have no obligation in such a scenario, the Torah teaches that you must assist the owner. If your inactivitity is motivated by the owner’s attitude towards you, you must still assist him, not merely because you are concerned about the discomfort suffered by his beast. Moshe Alshich

If the owner of the beast was originally present, but then went and sat himself down and said to the one who met him: “Since the moral duty is incumbent on you, if you wish to unload by yourself, unload!” In such a case he is absolved from his duty, since it is stated “with him.” Only when he is willing to shar the work with you are you obliged to help. Rambam & Kli Yakar

When the Jewish people responded to the imminent revelation of God and God’s Torah, they said “na-aseh,” we will perform, referring to the activities of their bodies. Then they said, “nishma,” we will hear, learn, referring to the tasks reserved for the intellect and spirit.

Although the achievements by the intellect leave no physical imprint, they are nevertheless superior in value, since they are the product of the most superior part of man, his mind…

Deeds become causes.

The amount of self discipline needed to accomplish certain moral objectives, diminishes in relation to the frequency of the occasions on which this self discipline needs to be exercised. Akedat Yiztchak on Mishpatim

Does full acceptance of Torah then mean that we concentrate only, or mainly, on “doing” what Torah commands? Is “Torah” to be understood as “The Law, as it is wrongly translated by non – Jews following the early Greek translation of Torah into nomus, or shall we say that Torah mean’s “teaching,” which includes not only Law, “halakha,” to be enacted but also “aggada,” to be listened to?...

If all God wanted was blind obedience, He would have created robots, not people in whom He implanted thinking minds and sensitive hearts.

Pinchas Peli