Some people ask: if I am talking to someone who seems less receptive, and I am concerned that he may reject my message altogether, may I “dilute” the meaning of the Torah’s words and misrepresent the Torah, if I think that doing so will make its message more palatable?
The Rebbe addresses this question in the sicha of 12 Tammuz below:
If someone is distant from Torah observance ... we dare not compromise fundamental Torah values and principles with the misguided intention of making the Torah more attractive to people—G–d forbid!
The Mishnah says, “Bring them [the lowly creations] close to the Torah” (Pirkei Avos, 4:2). This indicates that we must not do the opposite—lower the Torah to the level of the creations by compromising the Torah’s beliefs and standards.
On the contrary, the secret of success is refusing to compromise the truth, for only through truth do we really inspire people.
Likutei Sichos, Vol. 33, p. 147.
Sadly, there is a plethora of people (and I am not referring to Reform or the like, but to people ostensibly within the “Orthodox” community) who (perhaps with very good intentions, and perhaps without consciously realizing that they are doing so) compromise on the truth according to Torah, and deliver lectures or release literature that contains half-truths, distortions, or partial endorsements of philosophies alien to Torah principles and values.
One should ensure to avoid anything that could be so interpreted in one’s own speech and writings, and be wary of others who are prone to such statements.
One should ensure to avoid anything that could be so interpreted in one’s own speech and writings, and be wary of others who are prone to such statements.
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