Why Faith Alone Isn’t Enough: The Power of Living by Torah in Action

Many of our brothers and sisters live with a worldview that it’s enough to simply believe in the Torah and in God “in the heart,” but that the actual observance of Torah and mitzvot (commandments) isn’t critical. Another common view among our fellow Jews claims that while it's true one should observe Torah and mitzvot, it's not necessary to keep everything fully, and it's okay to cut corners, skip things that seem too difficult, or that don’t fit comfortably into one's life.

Is internal belief in God not enough? After all, doesn’t God examine our inner thoughts and heart? Doesn’t He know that the Jew believes in Him?

Belief in the Torah is not measured only by internal thoughts and personal convictions, but by concrete actions and by living a lifestyle that matches the Torah’s commands. Any other approach is, in essence, a declaration that the individual knows better than God, Who commanded otherwise: “You shall carry out My laws and keep My decrees to follow them — I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 18:4).

What about a religious lifestyle that intentionally leaves out certain halachot (Jewish laws)? On this, the prophet Elijah cries out to the people: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal, follow him!” (Kings I, 18:21).

This does not refer to those on a gradual spiritual journey, who are strengthening their observance in a balanced, healthy way. Sudden, drastic change can sometimes be psychologically harmful and lead to spiritual collapse. This criticism is aimed at a worldview that says, “I’ll observe only the parts of the Torah that suit me, that feel comfortable, that make sense to me.” Treating the Torah like a set of optional suggestions amounts to declaring that the Torah is not a binding, divine truth and is ultimately a disrespect of God’s will.

God commands us in the Torah: “When you listen to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes written in this Book of the Torah — when you return to the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 30:10). The emphasis is on all — not a quarter, or a half.

Every mitzvah, and God forbid every transgression, creates a spiritual impact on the person themselves, on their life in this world, and on their eternal soul in the World to Come. It also affects the upper worlds, although we don’t see the hidden outcomes. True faith in the Torah that is not imaginary or selective, leads to awareness of the tremendous spiritual power God gave us, the Jewish people. From that awareness there develops caution, awe, and deep meaning in every action we do.