Chovos Halvavos gives us a new perspective on the physical mitzvos we perform: they are expressions of gratitude to Hashem for the physical gifts He gives us. Tefillah, tzedakah, Torah, sukkah, lulav, tzitzis and the other mitzvos become not merely obligations to fulfill, but opportunities to use what Hashem gave us in His service.

And why did Rav Avigdor Miller say your lulav should never look like a shower rod? We’ll hear the story.

Chovos Halvavos begins proving through logic that the duties of the mind are genuine obligations. Physical mitzvos themselves depend on what’s happening inside us — on intention and understanding. And we discover a new perspective on mitzvos: not merely commandments from Hashem to us, but opportunities for us to serve Hashem out of gratitude for everything He has given us.

Chovos Halvavos reaches a turning point in the Hakdamah: why did Rabbeinu Bachya write this sefer? After surveying the great Torah works that already existed — on Tanach, Halacha, and Emunah — he discovered a surprising omission: there was no comprehensive work devoted to the duties of the heart.

Could it be that these inner obligations are merely good advice rather than actual mitzvos? That's the question that sets the stage for what comes next.

Chovos Halvavos introduces the negative obligations of the mind — thoughts and attitudes that the Torah forbids. We discover that even failing to use our minds to recognize Hashem’s wonders can itself be a transgression, and that our service of Hashem extends far beyond our actions to the innermost thoughts of the heart.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Shragi Weingarten in honor of Rabbi W.

Chovos Halvavos explains an important difference between the duties of our limbs and the duties of our hearts. Some physical mitzvos make perfect sense to us, while others we observe simply because Hashem commanded them. The duties of the heart, however, are entirely rooted in understanding — and unlike physical actions, they have no limits.

We also begin exploring the great inner obligations that will accompany us throughout the sefer: emunah, bitachon, humility, awe, love of Hashem, and living with the awareness that He is always watching.

Chovos Halvavos identifies three gateways to Divine Wisdom: the human intellect, the Written Torah, and the teachings of Chazal. We discover what made Rav Moshe Feinstein’s daas Torah so pure, and are introduced to the fundamental distinction between the duties of our limbs and the hidden duties of our hearts.

Chovos Halvavos discusses the various forms of wisdom — one of the great gifts bestowed upon us by Hashem. But he places special emphasis on what he calls “Divine Wisdom.” Torah isn’t merely something to know; our minds and understanding themselves must become part of our service to Hashem.

In the podcast, we mentioned a story about this idea. Check out the latest article on the Toras Avigdor Blog to read the story.

Chovos Halvavos is often thought of as the sefer about bitachon. But it is much more: a profound and comprehensive system of thought that has guided Klal Yisroel for nearly a thousand years. In this series, we will attempt to understand and absorb that system as we make our way through the sefer.