Myśl Żydowska do Psalmów 15:2

Now, behold, all the mitzvot can be categorized into three ways: firstly, through belief in the heart; secondly, through speech; and thirdly, through action. Each mitzvah is fundamentally based on one of these aspects. If a mitzvah is dependent on speech or action, it still requires belief in the heart. Without it, everything is in vain and futile. Our Sages of blessed memory said: "The Merciful One desires the heart" (Sanhedrin 106b), indicating that God examines the heart and investigates the kidneys. As it is written: "But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it" (Deuteronomy 30:14). This verse encompasses the three ways: "in your mouth" refers to speech, and "in your heart" refers to belief in the heart, so that you may fulfill the commandments through action. Similarly, it is written: "What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 10:12). King David said: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood" (Psalms 24:4). And it is also written: "He who walks uprightly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart" (Psalms 15:2-3).

You should realize that the aim and value of the duties of the heart is that our exterior and interior be equal and consistent in the service of G-d, so that the testimony of the heart, tongue, and limbs be alike, and that they support and confirm each other instead of differing and contradicting each other. This is what Scripture calls "tamim" (innocent/perfect), in saying: "You shall be perfect with the L-ord your G-d" (Deut. 18:13), and "Noah was a righteous man and perfect in his generations" (Gen. 6:9), and "he who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart" (Ps. 15:2), and "I will give heed unto the way of integrity..I will walk within my house with a perfect heart" (Ps. 101:2).