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Parshas Nitzavim/Vayeilech - Sensitivity of Life          23 Elul 5777 

09/14/2017 01:03:33 PM

Sep14

These last few weeks gave us close-up opportunities to witness the hand of God as well as the hand of man. The natural disasters of a severe 8.1 earthquake, the strongest to hit Mexico in a century, occurred while the hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused massive devastation which have affected the lives of millions of people in Houston, Texas and the state of Florida. Millions of Americans watched as violent winds and tumultuous rains tore apart the homes and lives of thousands of people. In the wake of these disasters, thousands of other people arrived, many travelling at their own expense from all parts of the United States, to help the hurricane victims, providing physical, emotional, spiritual and financial assistance. The outpouring of concern reached levels that saw Jews from San Diego fly to Houston, helping to bring some semblance of normalcy back into their lives. It was encouraging to see major Orthodox umbrella organizations come together, uniting and coordinating efforts on behalf of our fellow Jews. Unfortunately, at times it takes such awful disasters to bring out the best in us. Correspondingly, we occasionally lack perspective in the midst of such chaos and trauma, unwittingly saying things that may be misconstrued.

Such an occurrence took place when I happened to meet someone who lives in Florida but was in San Diego during the hurricane. In an attempt to offer him comfort during this tough time, I said, “there could be worse places to be than San Diego.” I meant only to say that he was fortunate to be in San Diego and not in the middle of a hurricane. As he passed me by he replied, “Who knows if I will even have a house to go back to; I may have lost everything.” Even though I was trying to extend comfort to him, my timing was off. Riding out the hurricane while being here in San Diego could not possibly assuage his fears. I thought about this for a few days and wanted to apologize for the incident. I waited to call at an appropriate time, when lo and behold I saw the person and seized the opportunity to ask if I could speak with him. I reviewed my feelings, pointing out how my good intentions went sour. Being the fine gentleman that he is, he immediately dismissed the entire situation and said that he did not take it that way at all. He described the extensive damage that his property sustained and related to me the stories of people who did not heed the warnings of the authorities. In most cases, reported deaths were the result of people who disregarded safety protocol and instructions. But as he got up to leave, he turned to me and said, “At least we are safe and alive.” Right then and there it hit me that during the time the hurricane was tearing across the area where his home was located, he also didn’t appreciate life because he was thinking of the monetary loss the devastation was causing. It was only later, when reality sank in, that he was able to understand and articulate that there is nothing more precious than life itself.

  1. is underscored and highlighted when speaking of death. Typically, we lament more over a person who passes away in the prime of life or when very young. This is in contrast to speaking of someone who has passed away at a ripe old age. For an individual who lived a full life we tend to describe how the person led a full life, outlived their peers, and is no longer suffering. In the case of someone who really lived a long time we may be inclined to remark, “Well, no one lives forever,” giving recognition and acceptance that it was that person’s time to go. This does not make it any easier for the grieving family, but there is some consolation on the human and physical level. Not so the case when we view life from a spiritual perspective. Regardless of the quality of life a person may live, it is, nevertheless, life! Life is to be treasured. The importance of any kind of life is underscored in the Torah.

In the second of the two sedras we read from Parshas Vayeilech of Moshe’s impending death. The Torah states in Devarim 31:14: “Vayomer Hashem el Moshe: Hein Karvu Yamecha LaMus……”. “God said to Moshe, ‘The time is coming for you to die’….”. The Medrash Chayei Moshe brought forth in the Yalkut Shimon states how difficult it was for Moshe to part from this world. Moshe pleaded with Hashem that if he could not enter the land, could Hashem at least keep him in this world; could he at least not cause him to die. Moshe said: “Master of the universe, if I can’t go into Israel, at least let me be like the animals that just graze in the field, just eating grass and vegetation, drinking a little water, but have the chance to see the world. Hashem said to Moshe: ”Rav Lach!” - “Enough! Do not speak!” Moshe asks Hashem to just leave him in this world. He asks if he could just be like a bird that flies to the four corners of the world, picking up some food here and there and at night returns to its nest. He requests of Hashem, “Let my soul be like one of them - either an animal or a bird.” Again Hashem said “Enough!” We learn from Moshe how important life is in THIS world, even if only to remain as a bird or an animal. Every living creature serves a purpose in life.

Life in this world is so precious for every one of us - much more so than the life of an animal. The Vilna Gaon cried when he felt he was dying. The people around him asked, “Why are you crying? You lived such a perfect, complete life.” The Gaon answered, “In this world, with a small coin it is possible to buy and merit many mitzvos, such as tzitzis. This is equal to all the commandments.” We learn in Pirkei Avos 4:17:‘One moment of Torah and good deeds in this world is better than the entire world to come.’ Even though at the end of the Amidah on the High Holidays it states that we would have been better off had we not been created, but now that we are here we need to deal with life. Nevertheless, we should realize that when Hashem created us it was to fulfill the purpose and goal of man. We should keep in mind that this refers to every single human being. How much more so this applies to the creation of a Jew and to those who choose to be Jewish. We have a greater purpose in life to fulfill. We must fulfill the will of God.

As the year 5777 winds down, we contemplate our participation in this world and the life we’ve been living. Was this a year that lived up to the expectations I set for myself last Rosh Hashana? This is not an exercise in guilt looking back through the rearview mirror. Rather, take time to look ahead to a potential year of life focused on accomplishing anything we set our minds to attain. Don’t ask, “Did I take advantage of life, or did life take advantage of me?” Rather ask yourself, “How will I take advantage of the precious commodity called ‘life” How will I show the purpose of life and its meaning?” Life is precious and fragile; it is worth more than anything in the world. We should all be blessed with a year and a life full of Chaim, as Moshe lived his life to its maximum until one hundred twenty years. Amen!

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784