Parshas Nitzavim-JUST DO IT!!!
Parshas Nitzavim-JUST DO IT!!!
Torah Psych101
Dr. Jonathan M. Lasson
Towards the end of the פרשה the Torah tells us what our reward will be for keeping the Mitzvos (1).
ובחרת בחיים למען תחיה אתה וזרעך
“And you will choose life so that you and your children should live.” The very next פסוק which is the last one in the פרשה then goes on to tell us what to do to get this reward (2).
לאהבה את -ה' אלוקיך לשמע בקלו ולדבקה-בו
That is to “love Hashem, cling to him and to live in the land that Hashem promised us”-namely ארץ ישראל. The אור החיים is obviously bothered by the order of the פסוקים because it seems to be telling us the prize before how we are to earn that prize?
It would be להבדיל like telling a group of children “I have a brand new bike for you. But first you have to clean your room and get good grades. Why would the Torah tell us the how to earn the reward after telling about the reward itself?
He goes on to dissect the פסוק by saying the reward is the actual how to. For example, actually living in ארץ ישראל is a means to achieving perfection. As we know, contained in the word ירושלים is the word שלם. And ישראלcontains the word ישר. So by actually telling us the reward, will help us learn how to earn rewards in the future. As in the example of living in ארץ ישראל, we know that anyone who walks in ארץ ישראל (at least 4 אמות) has a חלק in עולם הבא. (3)
Sometimes telling people what the prize is first, serves as a motivation to want to work for it.
I am still on a high from our recent trip to Eretz Yisroel and in particular meeting a Holy Man from a Holy Land. This was actually a chapter title from The popular book about Rav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman called the Living Legend (4). In this chapter, Rav Grossman tells over how one of his generous donors, Mr. Uri Baron came to Rav Grossman in a deep state of distress. He was owed millions of dollars from the Nigerian government but was afraid to push for the money because the president was known to deal harshly with those who he didn’t like. However, he was facing bankruptcy and did not know what to do. Rav Grossman advised Mr. Baron to tell the Chief of Staff of Nigeria to arrange a meeting with the president saying that he wanted him to meet a Holy Man from a Holy Land. He told Mr. Baron to inform the Chief of Staff that this Holy Man wanted to give a blessing to the Nigerian president.
This all happened right before Rosh Hashona. Shortly after Rosh Hashona, Mr. Baron received a response that the Nigerian President was awaiting this Holy Man’s arrival. Although it was during Aseres Y’mei T’Shuva, Rav Grossman felt this was a matter of Pikuach Nefesh so they were on their way to Nigeria.
Rav Grossman emerged from the plane in Nigeria with the full entourage of the Nigerian military, all waiting to see this Holy Man from the Holy Land. He was driven via limousine to the palace of the president.
Rav Grossman was escorted through the palace and sat with the president of Nigeria. He took out an album showing the president all the work he was doing in Migdal Ha’Emek. After a nice conversation, Rav Grossman asked the president if he could tell him a story. The president was excited to hear what he had to say. Rav Grossman shared with him the story of Rav Yehuda HaNasi who had a nice relationship with the Roman Emperor… Antoninus. Antonius sent Rav Yehuda Hanasi a crate if precious jewels worth millions of dollars in advance of a visit from Rav Yehuda Hanasi. Rav Yehuda, in return gave Antoninus a gift as well. He gave him a Mezuza which might have been worth 50 dollars. Antonius was obviously upset with the gift seeing that his gift was worth far more than the little Mezuza from his friend, Rav Yehuda.
Rav Yehuda, anticipating Antoninus’ reaction explained that Antoninus’ gift would require many guards to watch over the jewels while his gift of the Mezuza would guard over Antonius.
After telling this story, Rav Grossman removed a beautiful Mezuza and presented it to the Nigerian president. “I am giving you this Mezuza as protection in the spirit of the Holy Rabbi Yehuda.”
The president was so moved by the gift of the Mezuza, that he got off his thone and placed his head on Rav Grossman’s lap and asked Rav Grossman to bless him. Rav Grossman obliged and blessed the president.
At that point he felt it was a good time to make his request on behalf of Mr. Baron. He explained the situation and the president assured him that he would intercede. After this meeting, Rav Grossman flew back to the Holy Land with Mr. Baron. Two weeks later, Mr. Baron received the full sum of money he was owed.
Just living in Eretz Yisroel is a means of achieving perfection. It is the reward as well as the means of attaining further rewards. For this reason, the Torah puts the reward before the method of how to get that reward. Loving Hashem, clinging to Hashem and living in Eretz Yisroel will help you learn how to get future rewards. May we all merit to live in Eretz Yirsoel so we can be able to perform all the Mitzvos possible.
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(1) Devarim 30:19
(2) Devarim 30:20
(3) Kesubos 111a
(4) The Living Legend, Shaar Press. Ch. 45