What We Can Learn From Saul's Big Mistake

In the story of Samuel, Saul, and the Amalekite King that Saul didn't kill, we learn a very important lesson about Judaism. In Atar Hadari's article, "What to do When the Lord Orders Vengeance," Hadari talks about the story of King Saul being ordered by God to kill Amalek, why Saul disobeyed God, and what we can take away from it. Essentially, Saul was a bad king who cared too much about his people, and that got in the way of his obedience to God. But more importantly, we learn something about Judaism and our duty as Jews from this story. In the article (and the Tanakh, obviously), it says:

"But Samuel said, Does the Lord want offerings and sacrifices
as much as obedience to the Lord?
Look, obedience is as superior to sacrifice
as obedience is to the fat of rams."

This excerpt is crucial. What we are being told here, is that obedience and respect are more important than physical discipline. It's more important to listen to God than it is to sacrifice. Saul did not understand that, and he lost God's respect because of it. Even today, when we no longer sacrifice, this is still a valuable lesson. Everybody observes Judaism differently. Whether it be keeping Kosher, praying three times every day, wrapping T'fillin, or any combination of the countless traditions out there, these are all just reminders. They're reminders of our obedience to God. And none of them are actually as important as obeying God. Now, I'm not saying that all of those traditions and observances are pointless. But it's important to remember that through the way we live and act, not just our physical habits, we must keep our covenant with God and be righteous people. All the traditions are just add-ons to being good people. I think God would prefer a righteous person who eats bacon over a jerk who keeps kosher.