As we approach the high holidays, we ought to reflect on this past year – what did you accomplish? What did you learn? In what ways did you grow as a student, as a son or daughter, as a brother a sister, as a Jew…? The list goes on and on. But there is one more question we ought to ask ourselves. How did I infuse Torah into my life? Think about it – in what concrete ways did you instill the greatest mitzvah in Judaism into not just your thoughts, but your actions? This week’s parsha, Parshat Nitzavim, is unique in that it sheds light on two of the hardest aspects of Judaism for many of us – the practical applications of Torah and keeping our faith alive.
In the parsha, God commands the Jewish people, “For this commandment which I command you this day, is not concealed from you, nor is it far away… Rather, [this] thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it.” We may think that if we keep Torah, in the back of our minds, perhaps it will be sufficient. But the fact of the matter is that we ought to live by it in a way in which we can physically feel and taste it, not just allow it to cross our minds once in a while. You’re right – God asks for a commitment and we must hold up our end of the bargain. All of us are capable of doing so because there is something for each and every one of us within the Torah, even if it may be hard to see it at first glance.
Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, days known as the eseret yemei teshuva, or 10 days of repentance, many Jews observe more demanding laws or take on more challenging mitzvot. It isn’t because they are fooling God into thinking they have upheld these stricter laws throughout the year – God is always watching over us. Rather, it is to proveto themselves that they are physically and mentally capable of doing so, and that we are able to push ourselves further than we imagine.
In the museum at Aushwitz, there is a display – hundreds and thousands of cups, jars, plates, and all different types of kitchenware that the prisoners of Aushwitz were forced to give up the day they got there. There are two colors prevalent within those items – blue and red, blue for dairy, red for meat. It wasn’t just the physical items that were taken from our people, but the idea of preserving the commandments of the Torah. Their cups, bowls, and plates still wait for them, and now it is our turn to take them home.
As the new year dawns upon us, find your way to connect, commit, and infuse our Torah into your life. Share your thoughts and inspirations with others. L’Shana Tova and good Shabbos from your West Coast Regional Board!
Allison Gorokhovsky
West Coast Regional Board President