“TO LIVE OUT & INTERPRET PROPERLY”
To "fulfill" refers to the act of observing or carrying out the commandments and teachings found in scriptures and their correct expounding. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew verb "לקיים" (le'kayem), which means to uphold, establish, or perform. Fulfilling the commands is seen as a way of living in accordance with G-d's will, expressing devotion to G-d, and maintaining a faithful relationship with the Divine.
Fulfilling commandments encompasses a wide range of actions, from the set apart times and seasonal observances, such as keeping Sabbath, dietary laws, purification practices, practicing charity, and seeking justice. It also includes study and engagement with the scriptures, studying, prayer, and participation in the community.
A foundational text that emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the commandments is found in Deuteronomy 26:16-17, where it states:
"This day the L-rd your G-d hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the L-rd this day to be thy G-d, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice."
This passage highlights the relationship between the G-d’s people and G-d, wherein the fulfillment of the commandments is a commitment to live according to G-d's will, thereby nurturing a close, personal, and communal relationship with the Divine. While every relationship has its ups and downs, the covenant is the foundation to stand back up on.
Fulfilling commands is not just a matter of ritual observance but involves a wholehearted and soulful commitment to the values and ethical principles they embody, aiming to sanctify every aspect of one's life. Whether it is something as mundane as grocery shopping, bathing, or getting out of bed, the fulfillment is the bringing “full joy” in completing it for the glory of G-d with the proper intention of fulfilling the desires in the exact way He showed us.
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