5786/2026
Rashi, quoting the Gemara in Eruvin (54b), states: “U’Minayin SheChayav Lirot Lo Panim, Shenemar ‘Ve’Eleh HaMishpatim Asher Tashem Lifneihem,” “And from where do we learn that a teacher must show his students the reasons for the teachings? As it is stated: ‘Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them’” (Shemot 21:1). This Gemara indicates that Torah lessons must be set out logically for students. There is a Mitzvah to organize the reasoning for the Mitzvot for the students.
The Ohr HaChaim comments: Perhaps this is connected to the fact that some of the Torah's commandments are duties that a person's body has to perform, i.e. Chovat Gavra. To perform these commandments, one needs to know what is involved. When Hashem said Tasim Lifneihem, this means that everyone ought to be familiar with the laws listed here.
To be a Talmid Chacham, one must work through every statement he learns deeply and thoroughly so that he thoroughly and clearly understands the Halachah. When a person doesn’t understand the reasons behind the Halachot, Mitzvah observance can be burdensome and God forbid fall into disuse. If a person does understand the reasons, his learning and observance can be much more enjoyable.
This might be the meaning of the our famous words Na’aseh Ve’Nishmah. Of course, we need to perform the Mitzvot, but we also need to understand why we are performing the Mitzvot as well.