2963 —אידיאלים שקריים, אכזבה, וכוח התורה המתמיד

B"H, Days of Selichos, 5714.

Brooklyn, NY.

To our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of Israel, wherever they may be—may Hashem be upon them for life.

Many greetings and blessings!

In life—and especially in spiritual life—the transition from one year to the next requires an accounting and a summing up of the past year in order to know how the new year should be established.

One of the most important aspects from a Jewish soul-searching perspective this year (5714) is that this year has made even more apparent the conviction in the falseness of certain "ideals" and hopes, and that Jews cannot rely on them. These ideals and "isms," as well as the groups representing them, have once again brought bitter disappointment to those who placed their hopes in them.

The year 5714 has strengthened the conviction—even among estranged circles—that the survival of the Jewish people can be secured only and exclusively by holding firmly to Torah and the way of life it prescribes.

Even the compromise approach—that Jews should adhere to two or three equally important foundations, one of which is Torah—has been shown again by this passing year to serve only as a bridge leading Jews astray from true Judaism: from practical mitzvos in daily life. Only this has sustained Jews since they became a nation at Mount Sinai by accepting the Torah.

It is a foolish—and even more dangerous—mistake to think one can fulfill their obligation with nice words and "speeches," behaving like all other nations; or that it suffices to receive "injections" of Judaism on certain days of the year or at certain moments in life. For Torah-and-mitzvos Judaism is a way of life that must encompass and permeate daily living.

Just as a healthy person is someone who is always healthy—not just healthy from time to time or for several days a year—so too is a spiritually healthy Jew one who lives with Torah and mitzvos every day throughout the entire year.

Just as a person would not accept compromises regarding his physical health—a "fifty-fifty" health status, half healthy and half not (G‑d forbid)—so too in spiritual life a Jew cannot accept a fifty-fifty Judaism.

And just as a healthy person seeks to be in a healthy environment and does everything possible so that his surroundings are healthy, so too in spiritual life every Jew has an obligation—to himself, his family, and his environment—to spread the light and warmth of Torah and mitzvos and make his surroundings healthier.

May Hashem grant that this accounting made at this time will lead to a firm resolution—to recognize the truth: that our Torah of Life in practical daily living is the only path for Jews both as individuals and as a collective; not only for life in Olam Haba but simply also for happiness in Olam Hazeh. And may this resolution—and its implementation—bring everyone a ketivah vachatimah tovah for a good and sweet year.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that disappointment with false ideals highlights how only unwavering commitment to Torah brings true fulfillment for Jews both individually and collectively—in this world as well as spiritually. Compromise or superficial observance cannot substitute for genuine daily practice.