Nitzavim
What if closeness feels beyond our grasp?
Reflection by Rabbi Lauren Tuchman:
כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ
No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it (Deut 30:14)
"Parashat Nitzavim marks an important turning point. As the reflective month of Elul draws to a close, we have the opportunity in our practice to cultivate closeness with the Divine. As Moses’ speech to the Israelites nears its end, we are reminded of the importance of the covenant and of love for the Divine. As the Torah reminds us that we are all part of the covenant and that all of us are able to access that closeness, we might feel the instinct to exclude ourselves from that promise. The thing is too much for me, we might think. I can’t get there. I don’t get to be part of that.
The Torah teaches us that, lest we think that the thing is beyond us, in the heavens, across the sea, out of our grasp, the thing is, truly, right here, right now, in our mouths and in our hearts to do it (Deut 30:11-14).
Our practice is like this. We may find ourselves with a wandering and chaotic mind. Sometimes, we are baffled by what our mind conjures for us when we stop and pay attention to it. In those moments, it may feel like the thing, that closeness, that intimacy, is beyond our grasp. We need someone to get it for us. No, the Torah reminds us gently. It’s right here, now, within you, as close to you as it can be. We don’t have to strive for it. We can meet ourselves with overflowing compassion, kindness, and care. When we find ourselves returning to thinking that the thing is far away, we can gently guide ourselves back to the core of our knowing that it is right here, in our hearts.
As we move towards a new year full of so many unknowns, may our practice of cultivating lovingkindness and gentleness allow us to open to what is in each moment."