Torah for the People (and not for Angels)

Torah for the People (and not for Angels)

Lo nitnah Torah l’malachei hashares (The Torah was not given to the angels), Chazal tell us. Mitzvos and halachos are predicated on being possible and reasonable for human beings to perform. We can therefore assume that if something is logistically nearly impossible to fulfill, Torah does not expect it of us. At times, poskim apply this principle as a snif (reinforcement) for leniency in both Torah and Rabbinic law, as it would be unfeasible to maintain the law absent a heter (dispensation). This rule has a logical basis and is extrapolated from the Torah (Parashas Chukas) itself: “Zos HaTorah: Adam…” (This is the Torah, [for a] human being …)

For example, Halachah states that a person in need of the facilities must relieve themselves before davening. However, if someone made the effort to use the bathroom and finds themselves minutes later in the midst of a tefillah having obsessive thoughts about whether they must use the facilities now—we follow this principle and state, “The Torah is not for angels. Reasonable effort was made to avoid needing the facilities during davening and we need not interrupt the progression of tefillah again and again.”

Similarly, we are careful that tefillin should be perfectly square. If due diligence was done to properly construct them and check them at the appropriate times, and they currently appear to be “in shape”, we need not worry—no need to break out an architect’s toolbox, or measure constantly to make sure we are not somehow transgressing.

(A person who finds themselves constantly worrying about these and other similar obsessive-compulsive thoughts may be suffering from scrupulosity and needs to seek professional help. See Halachah #355 on OCD in Halachah.)

The reverse applies, as well: clear-cut directives from Torah or Chazal are not “for the angels” and are within each person’s ability to achieve, with special kochos (strengths) granted us by Hashem to perform His mitzvos. As the passuk (Parshas Nitzavim) states, all the mitzvos are within the reach of every Jew: Lo rechokah hi. Lo bashamayim hi…Ki karov eilechah hadavar me’od… (it is not remote…it is not in the heavens…this thing [the Torah] is very close to you…)

https://halacha2go.com?number=682

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.