There is a discussion regarding doing the Mitzvot. Are the Mitzvot for the purpose of themselves – doing them are the purpose. Or are the purpose of doing the Mitzvot – to become a better person?

What is the difference?

Let’s take a person who is doing all the Mitzvot and learning Torah, but he or she is has a bad temper, embarrasses people, disrespects others and or has no mercy for their fellow. According to the first manner of looking at Mitzvot – that person is doing pretty well. According to the second view of Mitzvot – this person missed the boat.

So many people will say – OK so at least according to the second view I don’t have to perform the Mitzvot – I am already a good person and that is what really matters.

Although that might sound proper, let’s look at it on paper.

According to Torah – a person must achieve 3 things in life.

1) To observe the 613 commandments of the Torah for Jews or the 7 Noahide laws for Gentiles – which includes belief in the 13 principles of the Rambam

2) To become a good person as defined by the Torah

3) To achieve one’s purpose in life

Being a good person is just one aspect of life.

After one passes to the next world they will be shown 2 films – one of what their life was and one of what their would have been if they would have properly followed the Torah.

Regarding point 1 –
If the King asks you to take care of a particular task like making sure the palace is well kempt and the garden is taken care of – should one abstain?

Regarding 2 –
Sometimes a person thinks they are good, but they are not as good as they can be according to Torah. If a person can provide kindness to 100 people a day and he is only does to 5 people a day – sure that person is good but not as good as one can be.

Regarding 3 –
For a person to find and achieve one’s purpose in life – it is necessary to observe and learn Torah. Many times a rich person thinks that their accumulation of wealth is a proof of their achievement of purpose. But it is not the wealth in itself that will enable them to achieve it – it is the use of the wealth to provide kindness to the world – to help Torah scholars, to build Yeshivot, to help Jewish children receive a Torah education and so on…

In any case it – following the Torah provides one with meaning and purpose – which is many times lacking in people who disregard them completely.

Some books that help a person find purpose and help them in their quest of self-improvement – here are some Classic Jewish Self-Improvement Works:
Pirkei Avot – Ethics of the Fathers
Mesilat Yesharim – The Path of the Righteous – By Rabbi Haim Moshe Luzatto
Ahavat Chesed – Love of Kindness – the Chofetz Chaim

Proper Torah Outlook –
Mishne Torah / HaYad Hachazaka – Sefer HaMadah by the Rambam / Maimonides