Mesiras moda’ah means that we say, “Based on this assumption, I’m doing this action,” or, “This is my intention for what I’m about to do.” This practice is discussed in halachah regarding taking an oath, handing over a divorce paper, and giving tzedakah, among other places. For example, if a person declares that the oath that he is about to take is based on a certain assumption, then the oath does not apply if the assumption is incorrect. Similarly, if a person says that he will give tzedakah to an organization on the condition that it will be used for a specific purpose, if the organization changes the use, the person is no longer obligated to give what he promised.
In this sichah, Rebbe Nachman reveals that this practice is essential to avodas Hashem. As human beings, there are always places where we fall short. With the exception of very few extraordinary tzaddikim, it is not possible for us to guarantee that every movement we make will be purely for Hashem’s sake. We’re not able to watch our time and make sure not to waste a moment. We’re not able to have pure kavanah as we daven. In addition, we often have doubts about what we’re supposed to do in avodas Hashem – what, when, and how much we should learn; whether to go to a simchah or do another important mitzvah instead, and so on.
Because of this, many of us who truly yearn to serve Hashem, are filled with worries about whether or not we’re fulfilling our obligation to Hashem or not. Throughout the day, we get lost and confused by all the mistakes we make, and we feel pressure to be perfect. We constantly question the decisions we make in avodas Hashem.
