Weekly D'var

PARASHAT NITZAVIM
Eliana Roodman

I recently finished reading the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place in which the author, Aron Ralston, recounts his harrowing survival story. He was hiking alone in a remote area of Utah when a falling boulder pinned his arm against the wall of an extremely narrow canyon. He was trapped with some climbing gear, about 1000 calories worth of food, and less than half a liter of water. As the days and nights passed he realized that the likelihood of being round were slim to none. After five days he cut off his own arm, freeing himself from the boulder, and hiked seven miles to safety. Aron understood that no one would be coming to save him. He would have to save himself.

You may be wondering what this has to do with Torah.

Today’s parshah, Nitzavim, centers around our people’s covenant with G-d, the consequences for failing to follow Hashem’s commandments, and the ability to choose between blessing and curses, between life and death.

The expectations put upon the people of Israel by Hashem seem daunting. Impossible, even. But in this portion, we are reminded that the high standards to which we are held are not beyond reach.

The sixth aliyah states “For this commandment about which I am commanding you today, is not remote from you; it is not far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to expound it to us so that we can fulfill it?’ It is not beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and fetch it for us, to expound it so that we can fulfill it?’ Rather, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you can fulfill it.”

This aliyah tells us that the will to follow G-d’s commandments is not an external item to be found; rather, it is already within each and every one of us. It is only a matter of choosing to fulfill the commandments put before us.

For Aron Ralston, it would have been easier to give up and let nature take its course. But instead, he looked inward and found the will to save himself. To choose life. When we were slaves in Egypt, it would have been easier to worship idols and when we were wandering the desert for forty years, it would have been easier to assimilate into local tribes. Why did the Jewish people take the hard way out to reach the promised land, and why do we continue to take the hard way out to defend that home? It is our determination, our unwavering conviction to do what is right, not what is easy. When the world turns against you, it may feel easier to throw up your hands and let it happen. Standing up for oneself in the face of lies, hatred, and violence is a daunting task. It takes courage to defend one’s self when acquiescing to the mob seems easier … safer. Determination and courage: these things can not be gotten for you. No one is going to give them to you. Determination and courage are already inside of every individual. It is only a matter of choosing to act with these qualities.

Staying true to yourself, your ideals, and your beliefs requires faith, especially in the moments you are standing alone. Being Jewish is not easy … far from it. But, like courage and determination, our faith in G-d and in G-d’s commandments can be found within. Faith is not something someone can get for you. It is already in your mouth and in your heart. You must choose blessings over curses. Life over death. To fulfill it.

This parshah teaches us the importance of self-reliance. This is not to say that you shouldn’t ask for help. Rather, it is a reminder that our most important qualities, courage, determination, and faith, are already within us all. All you need is the will to act on them.

As we enter the new year and reflect on the year that has passed, consider what you would like to change and what you will do better. No one can make those changes for you. We must take it upon ourselves to choose to do what is right and good. Especially when it is not easy. Neither is it up in heaven nor is it across the sea. It is within every one of us. Let us only make that choice.

Shabbat Shalom.