Shabbos Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech - 5777

Shabbos Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech - 5777

Rabbi Hal Miller

For this commandment that I command you today, it is not hidden from you, and

it is not distant. [Devarim 30:11]

Exactly what is "this commandment" that Moshe refers to here? The following verses

tell us that it is not in heaven and not across the sea. How does his explanation of

location help us understand it?

As Nechama Leibowitz shows, the first ten verses in this chapter refer to teshuvah. Many

commentators go into great depth discussing how teshuvah is available to every Jew, in

every place and at every time, based on our verse. Ramban, for example, tells us that no

man can find valid excuses of time, place and circumstance to defer the duty of returning

to G-d. Leibowitz adds, "Teshuva is not dependent on external conditions, on where the

Jewish people lives or on the pressure of alien cultures. It is purely a matter of individual

free choice."

But, this opinion is not exclusive. For example, Radak and Ibn Ezra say, "And the meaning

of 'for this commandment' is a reference to the entire Torah." Rav Hirsch says that although

the first ten verses refer to teshuvah, they do so in the context of being able to learn and

apply the entire Torah, thus our verse also refers to the whole scroll.

Ramban argues with Ibn Ezra, pointing out that our verse says "this commandment", not

"all these commandments." But the Brisker Rav cites Rambam who applies our verse to

the oral Torah, which he then says means that all of the Torah is what Moshe had in mind.

Moshe's comments on location are to teach us that we are not able to escape our role in

life, that of learning and observing Torah law. We cannot hide from it, we cannot run from

it. Wherever we are, it applies. Whether there is a Torah scholar nearby or not, especially

in this day of global communications, we are still bound. What is more, we are able. Our

ability to follow the law is built in to us, and into the Torah.

Whether we look at the entire Torah, or only teshuvah, whether we are in a place of

scholarship or not, whether we are learned or not, we as Jews are bound to do our best

in all that we do. Further, if we try, we will succeed.