In last week's parsha Hashem shares with Moshe that after his death the Jewish people will begin to worship idolatry which will have devastating consequences. G-d will then hide Himself from the Jewish people and they will suffer terrible misfortune. Eventually, they will realize the source of their affliction and declare "Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me? (31:17) The Torah then tells us that Hashem will respond to this declaration by further concealing Himself, "I will surely conceal My face" (31:18). The Ramban asks why would this apparent expression of regret and acknowledgment of their evil ways lead to greater punishment and a heightened level of concealment? Why wouldn't their potential shift be recognized and accepted as the onset of their repentance?
A very powerful answer that is given by Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa and shared by Rabbi Frand is that the reason why Klal Yisroel's response led to greater disaster was because it wasnt rooted in repentance but rather in hopelessness. Despair is the greatest tool of the Yetzer Hara, our destructive inner voice, and when we hear the sound of hopelessness and helplessness we can be sure that he is the one speaking to us. A Jew must never feel that Hashem is not with him. Even in the worst of times Hashem is right there close by and we must always remember that and not allow our destructive voice to convince us otherwise. When we start to feel and hear his negativity we must turn to our sechel and remind ourselves that Hashem loves us and if we desire to come close and are willing to change our ways He will surely help us and carry us through whatever challenge we face.
The very famous section in parshas Netzavim gives all of us hope when there is an aspect of our Avodas Hashem that just seems impossible. G-d knew how dangerous despair is to our spiritual growth. It's the Evil Inclination's greatest tool. He never stops highlighting our mistakes, trying to convince us that we are our failures, and that growth and closeness to G-d is impossible. He knew that once we give up hope the game is over. The Torah therefore says that Hamitzvah Hazos.... is not hidden from you nor is it too far. It's not in the heavens and it's not across the sea. Rather it is VERY near in your mouth and your heart that YOU CAN DO IT.
What mitzvah is the Torah speaking about. So Rashi says it's speaking about Torah itself so maybe that includes all mitzvos. But I would like to suggest it's hinting to the mitzvah of guarding our health. There are very few mitzvos where the Torah uses a lashon of Meod as with, Vnishmartem Meod Es Nofshoseichem. Maybe the Torah specifically says Meod here to remind us that even those mitzvos that are just too difficult, they are also included. Hashem knew that there would be a time where guarding our health was more difficult than ever before. Hashem knew there would be a time when people could feel that exercising and a healthy diet was just out of reach; when bad food would be so easily accessible and investing time and energy into our fitness would seem impossible. He therefore uses the word Meod to remind us that even the mitzvah of Vnishmartem is close to us that we can do it!! Even for those who are older and even those who have done so much damage to their body, they too can be involved in the mitzvah of V'nishmartem. They just need to begin with hope and start making small changes towards a healthier way of life. If we believe that our health is part of our Avodas Hashem then Hashem promises us that no matter how difficult or how far this mitzvah appears, in truth it's very close.
Hope is such a critical part of our Avodas Hashem that it is rooted in our very name itself. I read the following by Rabbi Frand who shared this incredible idea from the Izhbitzer Rebbe. He explained that hope is intrinsic to the very essence of our Jewish identity. The name Jew is derived from the tribe of Judah, as is the Hebrew name Yehudi. Jews are specifically known by the name of one tribe because when the brothers were accused of theft from Yosef in Egypt, Yehudah was the one who spoke up to fight for their defense. It seemed like a closed deal. There was clear evidence and a smoking gun. Nevertheless when all seemed to be lost, when faced with the overwhelming weight of evidence against them, Yehudah never gave up hope. So the next time that you fall short of your health goal or struggle with your exercise routine remember Yehuda. Remind yourself that hope is the definition of a Jew, a person who knows that the Almighty will never abandon him and will help him improve and grow. We are the nation of hope, the people who never give up.
I would like to end with one final thought that may help change your upcoming year. Since Rosh Hashana we added the word Chaim in our Tefflios more than 250 times. Many of those times included
the specific words Melech Chofetz b’chaim. What does it mean that Hashem is Chofetz b’chaim? So on a simple level it means that Hashem prefers life over death; and so we are asking for another year of life even if we don’t deserve it and despite our many sins. But I believe there is something deeper that we can intend. When we say Hashem is Chofetz b’chaim we are saying that He desires life, not just the years but the seconds and minutes too! Life is intrinsically precious and priceless and without it we can’t learn Torah, perform Mitzvos or come closer to Hashem. However by increasing our appreciation for the time Hashem gives us we can reach this madrega of DESIRING LIFE too! One primary way to become a Chofetz b’chaim is by taking care of our health. Through exercise and healthier living we demonstrate that our body is a gift from Hashem and we are willing to invest time and energy so we can live longer and stronger. Its obvious that our healthy habits don’t actually improve our health, we know our good health only comes from Hashem! However what may be less clear is how investing the effort and making our health a priority also gives us the zechus of being like Hashem, becoming a Chofetz b'chaim.
So take advantage of the final additional Chaims that are still left and that we will be saying between now and the end of Yom Kippur. With each one start thinking how you will be improving your health in 5783. Remember that Hashem is always close, so never give up and always choose the voice of hope. This Yom Kippur consider what small health commitment you will accept to show Hashem you deserve even more good health because you not only appreciate life ……but YOU DESIRE it too!
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