A Jew is a Torah, but not a written one. .................

The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe sent representatives around America to motivate the Jewish communities. One such emissary went to Chicago. The Rebbe instructed him to visit a Mr. L. whose parents were Lubavitchers in Russia but had himself strayed. A small delegation made their way to Mr. L.'s house. They spoke for more than an hour, recalling the good old days of Lubavitch. As the shliach rose to leave, Mr. L. took out a checkbook, but the representative refused to take any money. Mr. L. was confused.

"Let me explain," said the shliach, "It sometimes happens, especially when a Torah is not used that a letter fades, and according to Jewish law, if a letter is missing in the Torah it is no longer 'kosher. It must be repaired by a scribe. The Rebbe taught us that every Jew is a Torah. There are letters and words, which the Jew spells out in his daily conduct - Shabbos, kosher, Jewish Marriage Laws, raising children to a life of Torah and mitzvahs - all these are the `letters' which make up the living Torah, namely, the Jew. Sometimes it happens that one of these letters becomes faded.

So the Rebbe sends us, the 'scribes,' from time to time, to freshen up some of the faded letters, and make each one of us a perfect Torah." Mr. L. was duly impressed.

The shliach reported his trip when he arrived back in New York. The Rebbe liked the explanation he gave Mr. L. but added a correction:

"A Jew is a Torah, but not a written one. He is rather like the Ten Commandments - engraved in the stone tablets Moshe brought down the mountain. The Torah and mitzvot are an integral part of the Jewish soul; they are engraved in his mind and heart. You do not have to `rewrite' a Jew; all you have to do is help him brush away the dust and grime of environmental influences which have temporary covered up his true self - the 'pintele Yid'. This is why a Jewish heart is always awake and responsive."