A lot depends on what you think is the main service of God. This is subject to debate in the Jewish world. The Gra had a two tier system. Learning Torah was the top. After that is keeping the Torah [Oral and Written]. But he did not think one should go searching for mitzvahs to do. He said it is better to sit in ones room and twiddle ones thumbs rather than go searching for mitzvahs. There are lots of variations. Prayer and talking with God are also important. But there were a few other main things.
Learning Torah is hearing what God says to us and talking with God is to help us be open to the Torah.
But my opinion is that Love and Fear of God are the goals. And the mitzvahs are to help us reach these goals. That comes from a commentary on the Rambam. And it seems to me to be basically what the Rambam himself was getting at.
The idea of the anonymous commentary [הלכות יסודי התורה פרק ב' הלכה א] is that one verse says do mitzvahs to come to fear God. Another verse Deuteronomy 10:12 says, "What does God want from but but to fear God in order that you should do his mitzvahs?" The answer he gives is the lower fear is to do mitzvahs. And Mitzvahs are to come to the higher fear. And that higher fear leads to Love of God.
The Stipler Rav (Chaim Kinyevski) [author of the set of books קהלת יעקב Kehilat Yaakov] said lets us look at the different groups that emphasize one point or other. It is usually in that particular point they are the worst of anyone. So he said they only advice is to keep the Torah just like it says, nothing more or less.
Learning Torah is hearing what God says to us and talking with God is to help us be open to the Torah.
But my opinion is that Love and Fear of God are the goals. And the mitzvahs are to help us reach these goals. That comes from a commentary on the Rambam. And it seems to me to be basically what the Rambam himself was getting at.
The idea of the anonymous commentary [הלכות יסודי התורה פרק ב' הלכה א] is that one verse says do mitzvahs to come to fear God. Another verse Deuteronomy 10:12 says, "What does God want from but but to fear God in order that you should do his mitzvahs?" The answer he gives is the lower fear is to do mitzvahs. And Mitzvahs are to come to the higher fear. And that higher fear leads to Love of God.
The Stipler Rav (Chaim Kinyevski) [author of the set of books קהלת יעקב Kehilat Yaakov] said lets us look at the different groups that emphasize one point or other. It is usually in that particular point they are the worst of anyone. So he said they only advice is to keep the Torah just like it says, nothing more or less.
