Posted on 09/26/24
For this commandment which I command you today, is not concealed from you, nor is it 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 tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?"
Nor is it 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 tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?"
Rather, [this] thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it. (Devarim 30 14-15)
The subject of this verse is a matter of debate. Some suggest it is referring to the injunction to learn Torah, while others posit it is the instruction to do Teshuva — repentance.
Either way, the Torah is revealing to us that it is readily accessible.
It doesn't require the undertaking of a formidable trek to climb some mountaintop that ascends to the heavens, nor an arduous voyage at sea to arrive at some faraway exotic destination.
We are taught, however, that were it in some foreign region we would indeed be expected to discover it.
Yet, G-d in His benevolence instructs us that it is very close by, and within your mouth and your heart to do.
Is it truly that much easier?
If the objective in discussion is about doing Teshuva — repenting and changing our bad behaviors — aren’t we taught in the name of Reb Yisroel Salanter that repairing a single character flaw is more difficult than learning the entire Talmud?
We equally wonder regarding the study of Torah. To truly grasp the depths and breadth of Torah knowledge one must be diligent in devoting decades of focused learning, spending at least twelve hours a day, if one wishes to scratch the surface of genuine Torah brilliance.
I heard on several occasions Rav Shimshon Pincus claim that the truly inspired and dedicated students who study in Yeshivos — academies of Torah study — are engaged in possibly the most difficult task in the world. The physical and mental strengths necessary to maintain several hours of uninterrupted study and intellectual acuity during three daily sedorim — study sessions, for years and decades in reaching their goals, is unparalleled.
I would conjecture that although there are adventurers who may devote their time and energies developing skills to achieve great feats of physical prowess — climbing the heights of Mount Everest or sailing the turbulent waters of Cape Horn — they wouldn't ever be able to get through a first seder, let alone a zman, in one of the finest Yeshivos Gedolos!
So where is the consolation? G-d seemingly gave us the more difficult task!
Rabbeinu Yonah opens his treatise Sha'ar HaAvodah with the following statement:
The very first gate that one must enter in his avodas Hashem is to understand their own worth, namely, recognizing their positive attributes and those of their forefathers, their greatness and importance in the eyes of the Creator…
Because when one who, Heaven forbid, does not recognize his own great worth, as well as that of his fathers, how easy it will be for him to follow in the ways of the transgressors…
Therefore, a man who seeks to serve Hashem should constantly try to reach the great levels of tzaddikim and chassidim, their importance and closeness to Him. He should deeply understand that he can reach those great, important levels if his avodas Hashem resembles theirs in using every hour and minute to the best of his ability...
This is what the Torah intended to teach us by saying, "For the matter is very close to you…”
Because Hashem only asks from man that which is in his power to achieve, just as our forefathers served Him according to the best of their understanding.
Each one of us possesses our specific role and unique talents. No two are alike. We each have different abilities. All G-d wants from man is to be 'using every hour and minute to the best of his ability'.
The verse says it is קרוב — close, not necessarily easy.
We each can utilize our time and skills to the best of our ability.
May I add that the concluding phrase that this task is בפיך ובלבבך — is in 'your mouth and your heart' to fulfill, is emphasizing 'your' mouth, and 'your' heart — that which is within 'your' ability, not measured against others.
The 'mouth' represents our expressive self, how we impact the world through our unique personality, with the 'heart' signifying our distinct understanding and perception of Torah.
It may not be easy, but it is very much within our reach.
Not everyone may be equipped with physical attributes to climb mountains or navigate the seas, but we can each with our G-d given individual strengths, use them to the best of our ability, influencing our world perforce our contribution based on our own level of perception.
We pass before G-d on Rosh Hashana like single file sheep, being judged for who 'we' are, within the boundaries of our specific strengths and weaknesses.
We must be encouraged by how valued and cherished we each are in the eyes of G-d and commit to implementing our skills in bringing Him honor in all we do.
Matan Abergel hy'd, was born on the Yom Tov of Shavuos — thus named מתן in commemoration of Matan Torah and died on Simchas Torah.
As a young boy he was an obedient and beloved child but didn't excel at his studies. He did the best he could.
His unit was called up to defend Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7th.
After fiercely fighting off the terrorists, he and his fellow troops found themselves trapped within an armored personnel carrier surrounded and outnumbered by terrorists. Despite the grim situation Matan continued to fire from the vehicle.
A live grenade was suddenly tossed into the vehicle. Matan tried to catch it but failed. Realizing there was no time to retrieve it and throw it out, Matan jumped on the grenade pressing it against his chest and was killed instantly saving his six friends.
One of his former teachers shared how years ago he taught the class about the heroic efforts of another soldier, Roi Klein who similarly sacrificed himself to save others.
A friend recalled to the bereaved father how he once threw a fake grenade into the classroom filled with students absorbed in study, and while all the students instinctively fled, Matan jumped immediately on it.
Evidently Matan, although he may have been a weaker student, had absorbed the lessons he was taught, absorbing the message of sacrifice and allegiance to his fellow man.
His last words before the explosion that took his life were, "I tried to do everything to protect the people of Israel."
בפיך ובלבבך — It is within your mouth and your heart to do.
We each have a mission; may we merit to live up to our very personal greatness!
באהבה,
צבי יהודה טייכמאן