תהלים, פרק נ׳, פסוק י״ז

A profound hypocrisy exists when a person speaks lofty words of prayer and study while secretly despising the very laws they claim to uphold. Empty religious rituals serve only as a mask for underlying moral corruption. God entirely ignores these prayers, rejecting them because they are merely an act of flattery attempting to cover up a corrupt life [אלשיך, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The animosity this person holds toward moral instruction is not just a casual disregard; it is a hatred that burns deep within the heart [מצודת דוד]. Commentators offer various perspectives on what exactly is being rejected. It can be understood broadly as the general teachings of the Torah, which are meant to guide a person toward a pleasant and moral life [מאירי]. It might also refer to the hardships and rebukes God brings upon a person intended for their ultimate benefit [אבן עזרא]. A more focused approach suggests that the despised instruction points directly to the commandments governing interpersonal relationships [רד״ק], or the basic moral and rational duties that human intellect demands [מלבי״ם]. From another angle, this hatred represents a complete refusal to make any genuine personal sacrifice or endure hardship, ironically coming from someone who might spend countless hours studying the complex laws of sacrifices [אלשיך].

This internal rejection is vividly compared to taking an object one absolutely despises and tossing it behind one's back to avoid looking at it [מצודת דוד]. The discarded items represent the broader commandments of the Torah [רד״ק]. More specifically, they are the foundational laws, such as the Ten Commandments and severe prohibitions against theft and adultery. A person might throw away these core moral duties while simultaneously bringing offerings to God, attempting to wear the disguise of a righteous person while actively engaging in gossip, deceit, and slander [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the discarded words can also represent God's attributes of mercy. A hypocrite will readily recite these traits during prayer in the hope of a divine response, yet completely throw them away in practice, refusing to internalize them or show that same mercy to others [אלשיך].