Love vs Fear

     I think that a major reason so many are OTD  is because people are being taught to worship Hashem out of fear instead of out of love. I think that if kids were taught about the mitzvos as a way of expressing our love of Hashem instead of fear then more people would stay on the path. 

    We are supposed to believe that Hashem loves us and wants us to do the mitzvos not just because we are afraid of the consequences but because we love Hashem. 

     The United States is a free society where everyone can choose what one wants. Even when people stay in their own closed communities the outside world filters through . One better be sure ones faith is strong. One best understand why one is sticking to ones guns. Is it because one is locked in or is it because one has chosen it and loves at least most of the time? 

      Some are observant in deference to their parents . For them it may be enough. It may not be enough for the grandchildren. 

     Every person needs to accept the Torah for ones self. It is okay if one does the mitzvos by rote just because one family always has, but in order for the chain to last one really needs to be more deliberate about ones observance. 

      Fear of Hashem is important so a person does not become to complacent about the mitzvos, but the most meaningful way to observe the mitzvos is out of love.