Machshava:

Chassidut 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Tiferes Yisroel

Description

p 103. The Ramban says that the mitzvah (commandment) of shiluach hakan (chasing away the mother bird) is to make us more compassionate. The mitzvos cultivate good middos (character traits). During the conquest of Eretz Yisroel, we were allowed to eat non-kosher food. Hashem determines what is spiritually damaging or not. If we follow halacha (Jewish law), we will become better people. Obeying Hashem's will is what really brings us to all good. It is not enough to serve Hashem because doing so is rational. Our avodah (work) is to have emunah (faith). The Torah tells us nothing about Avraham's intellectual process of coming to Hashem-awareness.