On the outside, Torah is water. On the inside, it is fire.
The text, the instructions, the practical side of Torah—that is water.
People come to water. When they are thirsty, they gather around.
But what if you have no thirst for Torah? What if you find the water cold? What if dos and don’ts don’t excite you?
Then you must enter within, to the hidden meanings, to the mysteries of Torah. To its fire.
But what if you fear fire? What if you fear the unknown, the spiritual, the transcendental?
Then, you must know: This fire does not burn. It ignites the soul. It is life itself. In truth, it is your fire.
Enter within. Do not be afraid. “G‑d, your G‑d is a consuming fire.”
Based on Hayom Yom, 16 Menachem Av. From the talks of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, Acharon shel Pesach 1940.
The 'inner Torah' is the place where we must be brave to enter the fire, the battle for our soul!
The inner Torah is where we are confronted with our inner life, our forces that drive us, our intentions that aim our desires and the lights that correct us.
Our egoistic force is clothed in many names. On the outside Torah, they appear as bad characters as Amalek and Haman. In reality they exist within us.
The outside story in the Torah sees Moses waging war against Amalek. The inner Torah presents Moses in constant battle with Amalek, the force within that motivates our intention for self-benefit.
'Aaron' is a force that helps Moses to raise his 'right' hand, with the light of Hassadim. This light of hessed, kindness aligns us with G_dliness. It corrects our intention to aim at the benefit of others. Then our ego overcomes us again and we must wage war against Amalek again.
The inner Torah reveals G_d's sensation and wisdom. Face the fire, your inner demons. Your soul will shine.