@ laskern
“…We do mitzvos with greater ferver when we know the reason for doing it. The Sefer Hachinuch is based on this idea”
+1
I would just modify the statement from “the reason” to “one of the reasons”.
Your point and eBurntFace’s point can actually stand together quite harmoniously. I think he is saying that ultimately our intent in doing Mitzvos is because Hashem said so. He is speaking to the issue that people have decided that they ought to do mitzvos with the intent of bringing about a certain effect / result. That’s not ok. That’s Hashem’s department, not ours.
Now, deepening our knowledge of and therefore appreciation of Hashem’s intent for saying so is certainly not only meretricious it is our obligation. Mitzvos are the means which Hashem gave us to connect to Him. To merely perform one’s obligations robotically like one discharging their obligation is not the pinnacle of a close relationship. I don’t think eBurntFace is disagreeing with that.
Gut Shabbos