Kevin Bemel ·
How You Can Be Certain You’ll Persevere
Parsha Nugget Nitzavim-Vayeilech – Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30
Sometimes I think life is too hard for me to endure. But my rabbi told me that G-d never gives you a challenge that you cannot overcome. I wondered how he knew this until read Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech:
“You are standing today, all of you, before G-d . . .” (Deuteronomy/Devarim 29:9)
In this week’s parsha, a double one so we can finish reading the Torah by Simchas Torah, there is little time left for Moses to teach the Children of Israel what they need to know to live in the Land of Israel. Moses renews the covenant, again warns against idolatry and prophesizes what will happen when the Israelites forget these duties. He appoints Joshua as the new leader and prepares for his final lesson and blessing. In spite of his imminent death, Moses only focuses on how he can help the Jewish people.
The best-known commentator on the Torah, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, better know as Rashi, notes the above verse is juxtaposed with the curses. Upon hearing the curses the Israelites' faces turned pallid and they said, “Who can bear these?” Moses consoles them, noting despite all of the curses and as much anger as you have caused the Almighty, “You are standing today.”
Even with all of their trials and tribulations, G-d still cherished the Children of Israel. So He had them gathered before Him one last time before they entered the Land of Israel for a final exhortation.
A few verses later Moses reminds the Israelites that G-d did not forge the covenant with them alone, “But with whoever is here, standing with us today before G-d, and with whoever is not here with us today.” We already know that this does not refer to other people at that time who were absent because as the above verse notes, all of the Israelites were there.
Who was not there? All future generations.
Moses reiterates for all eternity G-d’s promise:
You Will Endure Life’s Challenges and Stand Before G-d.
I have often referred to G-d as a heavenly parent. When you think about your own children, no matter what they did wouldn’t you want them to know they will persevere? It is no different for you and the Almighty.
As the Torah winds down its narrative I cannot think of a more empowering thought on which to end. You will confront hardship, you may even feel cursed, but you will overcome and one day stand before your Parent in Heaven.
When have you felt that G-d helped you endure something unbearable?
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Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. Its name comes from the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
Do you have a question about the Old Testament? Ask it here and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
