'If Jews do not follow the Halacha then they cannot be regarded as good Jews. Discuss.

Mitzvot are the road signs to life. All road signs fall under a certain category which all help the car reach its final destination. The mitzvot also fall under categories – Tarot (teachings), Mishpatim (justice), Chukkim (obedience) and Edot (memorials and testimony). Between each sign /mitzvot however, there is nothing guiding the vehicle / Jew. This is what Halacha is - the path leading you to each mitzvot. Halacha is therefore not essential, but assists in ensuring that the way to become a good Jew is executed thoroughly and correctly.

On the other hand, some believe you do need to follow the Halacha. Following Halacha ensures that Jews are constantly concentrated and focused on their mission to build a relationship with God and to teach mankind the message of forming this bond. Just as in the army where soldiers must make their beds in a certain way, have certain haircuts, and follow certain other rules, we must follow the halachot. The way the soldiers look doesn’t affect how accurate they fire a weapon, nor does it affect his or her marching stance, however the rules help the soldiers focus on the mission they must accomplish, and ensures they are ready to do their duty. Likewise, the way Jews wake up in the morning or how they tie their shoes in the afternoon will not affect how many or how well they complete a mitzvah, but instead will help them focus on completing the overall task – to build the relationship.

Furthermore, Halacha enlightens Jews in the ways and means in which they should actually perform certain mitzvot also. For example, it is a good deed to put a mezuzah on all the doors of your house, and to kiss them when you go through the door. The Halacha will help you carry out the mitzvot one step at a time – for example, where on the door to put it, how to kiss it, and so on.