What's the Issue with Being Religious in My Own Way?

Many of our brothers and sisters live with the belief that it is enough to have faith in the Torah and Hashem in one's heart, and that the practical observance of Torah and mitzvot is not critical. Another prevalent belief is that while it's necessary to keep the Torah and mitzvot, it's not essential to follow them fully, and one can cut corners or skip things that seem too difficult or don't fit well into their lives...

Isn't internal belief in Hashem enough? After all, Hashem tests the heart and mind, and He knows that this Jew believes in Him, so isn't that the main thing? Faith in the Torah is not measured solely by thoughts and internal ideas, but by actions, by living a lifestyle that aligns with the commandments of the Torah. Any other approach is, in essence, a declaration that one understands better than Hashem, who said otherwise: "You shall do My ordinances and keep My statutes, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 18:4).

And what about a religious lifestyle that initially gives up on certain laws? For this, Elijah the prophet calls out to the people, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). If you believe in Hashem and the Torah, be loyal and follow it, and if you do not see the Torah as a compelling truth, then follow your false beliefs. But living half-half, half religious-half secular, half observing the Torah and mitzvot-half doing what's convenient and suitable even though it's forbidden by the Torah, is a distorted and illogical way of life.

It is important to note that this does not refer to a gradual strengthening process where steps are taken gradually, healthily, and in a balanced way, as extreme changes in a short time may break the spirit and eventually lead to spiritual decline. Rather, it refers to the general approach that it's enough to live by the Torah's laws only if they suit, fit, and are convenient. Viewing the Torah as a non-binding recommendation, where you can take only "what suits me," is to declare that the Torah is not a supreme-binding truth given by the Creator and to disrespect Hashem's will.
Imagine a father asking his son to do something, and the son doesn't do it because he doesn't understand its importance and therefore decides to act contrary to his father's will, while still proclaiming "I respect my father." Surely this son lives with an imagined perception that he has built for himself, and so do many who live with the notion that one can live a religious life with halachic concessions.

Hashem commands us in the Torah "for you shall listen to the voice of Hashem your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Torah, because you will return to Hashem your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 30:10), with an emphasis on "all," not a quarter or a half.

The observance of each mitzvah or, God forbid, transgression creates a spiritual impact on the person themselves, in this world and in their eternal life to come, and even brings an impact on the upper worlds. We do not see what is hidden, but true faith in the Torah, and not one that is false or imagined, leads to awareness of the immense power Hashem gave the Jewish people in our actions, and from this a person comes to caution and great significance in their deeds.