The Foundation Behind Every Mitzvah in the Torah: Relationship Building

There’s a well-known yet strange story in the Gemara (Shabbos 31a):

A prospective convert approaches the great sage Shammai with a bizarre request: "Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot." Shammai, insulted by the chutzpah, pushes him away.

The same man then approaches Hillel, who responds without hesitation:

"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary. Now go and learn it."

At first glance, Hillel seems to be reducing the complexity of the Torah, mitzvos, halachos, etc. into a simple moral rule: Be nice.

This cannot be the whole picture. Is that really the entire Torah?

Let’s understand what Hillel was actually teaching this convert and by extension all of us. 

Not Just a Rule, a Foundation

Many mefarshim explain that Hillel wasn’t summarizing the content of Torah, but rather its foundation. And that foundation is one word: relationships.

The entire Torah is about building relationships. First with others, and ultimately with Hashem. The laws bein adam l’chaveiro are not separate from the laws of bein adam l’Makom; they are the training ground for them.

In Netiv Ha’Ahavah, the Maharal writes:

"One who loves only himself is not fit to receive the Torah. For the essence of Torah is for the sake of others."

The Maharal sees selfishness and the inability to see and care about others as a barrier to living a spiritual life. Why?

Because a person who cannot recognize what others do for them will never have the ability to truly recognize all that Hashem does for them. A person stuck in self-absorption has no room for gratitude and appreciation. Not toward people, and certainly not toward Hashem.

The Torah comes to mold the human being into someone who is outward-facing: someone who gives, who listens, who sees, and does not only focus on their dalet amos. The mitzvos train us to become givers and not takers, to break out of the shell of ego and develop the capacity to connect with everything around us.

This is the core of what Hillel was saying to this convert:

“If you want Torah, if you want to understand your Creator, start connecting with fellow human beings. Learn to step outside yourself. Learn to care. That’s the foundation. Everything else is commentary.”

Hillel finishes with the words: “Now go and learn.” He’s telling the convert: this principle isn’t the whole Torah. Rather, it’s the doorway we need to walk through to truly enable ourselves to connect with Hashem in this world. This is the pathway to living Torah.

It's not mutually exclusive. You still need to study, to grow, to learn halacha, midrash, and mussar. But the way you will ultimately acquire Torah is by becoming the kind of person who sees others, who appreciates what others do.

We all want to lead a spiritual life that feels deep, connected, and elevated. But sometimes the first step isn’t about diving straight into the depths of Torah wisdom. Sometimes it’s simply saying a genuine thank you. Saying I’m sorry. Noticing and appreciating those around us. Showing up when you see that someone can use your help.

Because if we can’t learn to appreciate and cultivate deeper relationships with our spouse, a neighbor or a teacher how can we possibly begin to know, appreciate and truly value our connection with Hashem?

Let’s learn to see beyond ourselves and of course, the “commentary” will naturally follow.

The name Yesodei Yisrael was inspired by this very story. Yesod means foundation, and we believe that real Torah education starts with the foundation of human connection: between talmid and rebbe, between peers, between families, building community, and ultimately on building our connection with Hashem. That foundation is what allows our students to build a life of depth, clarity, and purpose. Yesodei Yisrael isn’t just a school. It’s a foundation for families seeking meaning, authenticity, and a community that values individuality and building deep connections. If you're exploring Aliyah with a teen or are already in Israel and looking for a high school that truly sees your son, we’d love to meet you.

Learn more or plan a visit at www.yesodeiyisrael.com/about