Torah is commonly translated as “Law” in English translations of the Bible, and Torah does contain commands and prohibitions. However, Torah more properly means teaching or instruction. The purpose of YHWH’s Torah is to teach mankind right from wrong, to show us how to distinguish good from evil, and to instruct us on the best way to live. Torah was given to us for our benefit; through it, we learn how to relate to YHWH and walk in His righteous ways.
To have a relationship with YHWH and be His people, we must act in obedience to His word and will. We must have a genuine value of, and desire for, YHWH’s word. We must strive to live according to YHWH’s word out of love and obedience to Him, revering His Torah without adding to or subtracting from it.