Reply To: Bain Adam L'chaveiro Vs. Bain Adam L'makom

Haleivi: I agree that every mitzvah bain adam l’chaveiro has also a bain adam l’makon aspect to it. So of course there are mystical reasons behind each individual mitzvah which we can’t grasp, be it bain adam l’makom or bain adam l’chaveiro.

However, the main essence of mitzvos bain adam l’chaveiro is definitely its literal understandng-acting nice and refined to your fellow. This is explained by the Ramban in Parshas Noach, as he explains why the Dor Hamabul were punished for Gezel/theft even though they had not received the Torah prohibiting them to steal. The Ramban explains, they were nevertheless held accountable because Gezel as well as other mitzvos bain adam l’chaveiro are ‘Mitzvos Muskalos’-logical mitzvos which Mankind naturally understands it’s obligation. The same with the Dor of Sedom who were likewise punished for acting cruel to one another.

So we see that the Torah does gives a natural explanation to mitzvos bain adam l’chaveiro, and that is character refinement, wand that Hashem created all mankind with a natural understanding of it’s requirement and meaning.