Interpreting a verse on forsaking G-d; Torah and Mitzvos without intent eventually will have their effect
By the Grace of G-d
18th of Elul, 5725
Brooklyn, N.Y.
... With regard to your inquiry as to the meaning of the saying of our Sages, “Would that they forsook Me but kept My Torah"
As in the case of all sayings of our Sages, which are meaningful in many ways, the above saying also has various interpretations. One of them is the following: Let us not think that because “G-d desires the heart,” it is sufficient to have good intentions and to be a Jew “at heart.” For if one has to make a choice between good intentions and actual good deeds, the good deeds must take precedence and this is what is implied in the above saying of our Sages, as if G-d said: “Never mind your thinking and talking so much about Me, but get on with the actual fulfillment of My commandments and My Torah" Thus the meaning of “that they forsook Me” does not imply denial of G-d or a rebellion against Him, but on the order of a forgotten or neglected thing, which only means that it is something which is not frequently remembered or not properly taken care of. And the reason why G-d gives precedence to the study of the Torah and the actual fulfillment of the mitzvot is, that “The inner light contained therein will bring them back to the good,” namely, bring them closer to G-d and the realization that He is not confined to the Seventh Heaven and could therefore be “forsaken,” but that the awareness to His Presence should permeate one’s every activity in the daily life.
At this time, with the approach of Rosh Hashanah, I wish you and yours a Kesivo VaChasimo Tovo.
With blessing,
