DEUT303 In addition to the many individual commandments mandating proper behavior between Jews and others, there is one overarching commandment, a general Mitzvah that covers all man-to-man situations not specifically enumerated in the rest of the Torah. This Mitzvah "to keep the straight path and do what is right" is given so that the Jew is aware at all times, and every situation, that Jewish behavior mandates doing what is good and right [this verse with Nachmanides commentary]. In another verse commanding the Jew to do the "straight and right thing [Exodus 15:26] the Midrash explains that this refers specifically to how a Jew behaves towards others in business, and then states that any Jew who treats others properly in commerce, it is as if that person has fulfilled the entire Torah (Midrash, Mechilta, Beshalach 1). Just as proper behavior to others is the most important aspect of Judaism and of life in general, the lack of this behavior can bring disastrous results. The people in Noah's generation, for example, committed many horrible sins, but the destruction of the entire world through the flood came about only when the people began stealing from each other en masse (Sanhedrin 120a). The great Vilna Gaon states the importance of goodness in simple terms. He says that the essential purpose of life is to constantly improve one's character and act morally toward others (Even Shlaima 1:2). If not, what is the purpose of living? Another way to evaluate Judaism's hierarchy of values is to see how a person will be judged after one's life in this world is completed. The Talmud declares that a Jew will be asked a series of questions to assess his or her life (Shabbat 31a). The very first question a person will be asked after death will not be about Yom Kippur, proper feeling in prayer, or even about belief in God. The first question will be "Were you honest in your business dealings?" ... All of the prophets stressed what the quintessential element of Judaism entails-behaving ethically with others. This quality of kindness is so crucial to Judaism that the Midrash says that anyone who denies the importance of kindness denies the entire Torah (Midrash, Yalkut Shimoni, Samuel I 25:134; Midrash Shmuel 23:8).