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Drash for Yom Kippur: Nitzavim By Richard Gordon - September 21, 2007 In this week's Torah portion, Moses calls a meeting of everyone in the community. Moses talks to them about the sworn covenant they are about to make with God. He explains the significance of their choice that lies before them. In a world filled with ambiguity, where consequences for transgression are subject to endless possibilities, Moses leaves no room for quibbling; if we follow God's commandments, all will be right and, if we don't, all will be wrong. In one sense, the certainty is comforting. Nothing, however, is certain. If a man steals bread to feed his family, should he receive the same (or any) punishment as the man who steals bread because he's too lazy to bake his own? Did the former break God's commandment not to steal? What appears to be so clear thus is not clear at all. While I do my best to follow God's ways and commandments, I struggle almost every weekend. On Friday nights, my family observes the Sabbath by having dinner at home, lighting candles, and saying very familiar prayers. Then comes Saturday. I do my best not to work, but I do drive and run the many errands that are impossible to do during the week. Am I the man who stole the bread or the man who is too lazy to bake his own? Moses tells us that we must love God, walk in his way, and keep his commandments and laws. He emphasizes that, while divine, the task is within our reach. He says there is no need to ascend to heaven or cross the sea to get the job done. Instead, it is "very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart and you can do it." The passage can be as simple as it sounds. If what I am doing feels Jewishly wrong, inside of me - in my heart - it probably is wrong and outside of God's laws. If what I am doing feels Jewishly right, inside of me - in my heart - it probably is right and within God's laws. My heart, guided by a Jewish education involving Torah, and raised and nurtured in a Jewish home, is the best barometer in keeping me on track with the Jewish covenant. Yom Kippur is the time when we reflect on how we did this past year in meeting our obligation as Jews. We repent for our sins and try to make things right. We formulate plans to help become better Jews. Jewish law applied in today's modern world can be uncertain at best. However, we should not give up. Instead, we should take Moses at his word and follow our hearts. In the words of Moses, we "can do it." L'Shana Tovah!
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