Food for Talk

Someone once concluded a letter to the Rebbe saying that, in essence, he is a Jew who wants to fulfill the Mitzvos of the Torah, yet, he is not [yet] religious and does not keep Shabbos, etc.

The Rebbe addressed this apparent dichotomy in his response: As it is with one’s physical life, talking about the benefits of food, and even having a strong belief in its importance, is to no benefit. One has to actually eat the food. Furthermore, if one does not actually eat food, he will become so weak that he won’t even have strength to talk about it...

So too, with regard to spiritual “food”. One can talk about and have strong beliefs about the importance of Mitvos, and may even espouse to have a strong desire to fulfill them; nevertheless, the Neshama will not be nourished from talk and belief alone. One has to actually do the Mitzvos.

המעשה הוא העיקר

Igros Kodesh Vol 9 – Rosh Chodesh Elul 5714