The Navi’s words are as stirring as they are striking. Our various religious observances belong to us. If we decide not to practice, we are spiting ourselves. We are undermining our own Olam Ha’bah that we decide to ignore. If we adhere to the Torah, we will receive a reward commensurate with our observance. If we chose to alienate ourselves from the Torah, we will in turn one day answer for our indiscretion and insolence. If we hoard our money and refuse to share our G-d given wealth with others, then we steal from Hashem. Whatever we have is only a result of Hashem’s beneficence. We have it for a specific purpose -to help others. If we ignore this Divine command, we are no more than thieves.
