This is Arnie Gotfryd's translation of a talk given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on the occasion of the blessing of the sun during the blessing on the sun. (see also the "Praying with Fire" article)

Alternative Energy and Geopolitics[1]

Our Sages stated:[2] “G‑d did not create anything in his world for naught.” In addition, we have the pivotal role of actualizing the purpose of creation, as the Midrash explains the verse,[3] “‘That G‑d created to make’—to correct.”[4] This notion is exemplified in a Talmudic teaching that G‑d created the world in such a manner that “the north side is not encircled.”[5] Each Jew must then come along and complete—“correct” and “make”—that which G‑d has created, so that it does not end up being “for naught.”

How do we actualize this mission? Through fulfilling G‑d’s directive that “you shall choose life.”[6] Thus, we “become a partner to G‑d in the process of creation,”[7] thereby actualizing our potential. This begins with the fact that “G‑d created man uncircumcised,” and we later “bring him into the covenant” by circumcising him, as discussed in Bereishit Rabbah. Similarly, the Midrash gives the example of beans that must be cooked as an indication that all that G‑d created requires its completion through human endeavor. The same is true with man: “It is a man’s nature to go out and conquer.”[8] But “when he brings home wheat, can he chew the wheat itself?”[9] He needs the “counter-help”[10] G‑d accorded him, namely his wife and family members who assist him to make of it food fit for human consumption.

If the person then eats the food with the recital of blessings both before and after, the food becomes “My offering, My food for My fires”[11] ; man’s offering to G‑d on his table which is an altar—“a man’s table atones for him just as an altar.” [12] Through reciting a blessing before and after, the food acts as sustenance also for the “supernal Man,” just like a sacrifice—as has been explained at length in many places.[13]

America’s Mission

Whenever we see upheaval in the world, and especially when we see that events are developing negatively and continually worsening—and “from the north [the Soviet Union] the evil will open”[14] which doesn’t require any interpretation—there is no doubt that G‑d has established a country that has the ability to stop it.[15] In fact, it is not enough merely to stop it. That would be like “a wealthy man who has brought the offering of a pauper—he has not fulfilled his obligation.”[16] There must be action taken which will not allow them [the communists] to spread at all in the world. On the contrary, we must ensure that they stop having an affect on other countries and places, for that will help to bring justice and fairness for those still there [in the Soviet Union itself] as well. It is just and fair that they shall be able to go “each man in the name of his god,”[17] and especially that the Jews will be able to act in the Torah manner as Jews must, since this is their “life”—“they are our life and the length of our days”[18] —with all the specifics and details included as implied by the term freedom of religion.

Everyone must work on this to the best of his personal capabilities. This is especially true regarding our country: G‑d has placed it in such a situation that it can stop the spread of heresy in the world at large, and thereby bring about the spread of true peace in the world, etc. The main thing is, that people generally, and Jews in particular, should be able to serve G‑d with complete peace of mind and body.

This country must dedicate all its resources using all available methods toward achieving this goal. It may not sit back and say, “I have saved myself.”

In general, this country is one in which “nothing is lacking.”[19] Of course it is not it is not yet to the extent intended in the Torah verse just cited. That verse refers specifically to the Holy Land. However, when a majority of the Jewish people are in one country, that country becomes—as was the case in Egypt when the Jews were there, and so too every other country since—the country that “dominates the entire world,” the superpower.[20] This happens, however, only when they utilize all the capabilities that they were given.

Dependence on Oil-Producing Countries

On the other hand, when one country turns to one or more other states for assistance—especially for a vital need—this weakens its power and influence on the world scene.

This has a special connection to the concept of “one who sees the sun in its strength.[21] [This event takes place once every 28 years, and is accompanied by a special blessing on the sun. This talk was said in connection with such a blessing.]

Because of the manifold darkness of our exile, G‑d now shows us things clearly. In earlier generations—in the times of the “early ones, who were like angels”[22] —it may have been sufficient to merely hint at such things, but nowadays they must be clearly stated, and even highlighted.

We see clearly that when this country needs oil it is forced to listen to others—even to concede matters that are the opposite of justice, fairness, and goodness. They are even forced to start up with the “eternal inheritance” that was given to the “eternal nation” in an “eternal covenant.” This automatically has a negative impact on the physical well-being, and even the material well-being, of this country itself. Such concessions cannot possibly coexist with the afore-stated purpose and mission of the United States.

G‑d created his world in such a manner that, as predicted in the Zohar,[23] since “six centuries” [of the sixth millennium, i.e., from 5500-5600 since creation (1740-1840 C.E.)] there has been a great increase in wisdom in the world that has been translated into an increase in secular forms of wisdom as well. This led to various developments, discoveries, and inventions, which all require energy to be able to work.

This energy is produced from physical matter. The requisite matter seems to be found in other countries.

However, since this country has the mission of bringing about true peace in the world, and may not disturb justice and fairness—including also the justice that the “eternal inheritance” belongs to the “eternal nation,” as a result of the “eternal covenant” that was made by the “eternal G‑d”—obviously there is something that people can do. After all, it is not possible that the nation that is charged with such a mission should be “enslaved” and dependent upon a lowly nation, merely because their country happens to have oil!

This is why we see very clearly—it needs no proof or discussion—that if the U.S. would invest in developing the energy sources in its own land, they would have already long been freed of dependence on other nations.

This is known and has been proven; people have even written and made a tumult about it. If they would develop the domestic sources for oil and coal, etc. here in the U.S., they would long ago have rid themselves of any dependence on foreign nations. On the contrary: These resources are available in such abundance that it would be possible to provide them for other nations as well, just as the U.S. provides many other basic needs, and thus to become a supplier rather than a recipient!

This is based on the recognition that this wealth is not, Heaven forbid, because of “my might, and the strength of my hand,”[24] and does not exist simply to increase imaginary honor, or other trivial matters. Rather, it exists because G‑d places it all in the territory of the United States, to enable this country to disseminate the commandments recorded in the Torah, the Seven Noahide Laws, with all their details, corollaries, and specifics—throughout the entire world!

[1] Sichot Kodesh 5741, vol. 3, p. 120. (1981) - as translated by Arnie Gotfryd in Mind Over Matter: The Rebbe on Science, Technology and Medicine (2nd ed.) pp.240-250.
[2] Bamidbar Rabbah, 18:22.
[3] Bereishit Rabbah, 11:6. Rashi. Zohar I, 47b.
[4] Bereishit, 2:3.
[5] Bava Batrah, 25b. [Editor’s note: This Talmudic passage refers to the inferred trajectory of the sun during the summer night in the northern hemisphere after it sets in the northwest and before it rises in the northeast. The southerly trajectory is observed by day and hence closed, i.e., determined, whereas the north side trajectory is unobserved by night and hence not enclosed, or literally, not surrounded.]
[6] Devarim, 30:19.
[7] Shabbat, 119b.
[8] Yevamot, 65b.
[9] Yevamot, 63a.
[10] Bereishit, 2:18.
[11] Bamidbar, 28:2.
[12] Yechezkel, 41:22. Berachot, 55a.
[13] See Likutei Torah, Pinchas, 76a.
[14] Yirmiyah, 1:14.
[15] See Likutei Sichot, vol. 20, p. 553, 558.
[16] Nega’im, 14:12.
[17] Micha, 4:5.
[18] Liturgy of evening service.
[19] Devarim, 8:9.
[20] Cf. Chagigah, 13b.
[21] Berachot, 59b.
[22] Shabbat, 112b.
[23] 1, 117a, on Bereishit, 7:11. See Chapter 11.
[24] Devarim, 8:17.
[25] Tehillim, 19:7.