"You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-d...for you to pass into a covenant of Hashem, your G-d, and into His oath that Hashem, your G-d, forges with you today, in order to establish you today as a people to Him and that He be a G-d to you...Not with you alone do I forge this covenant and this oath, but with whoever is here, standing with us today before Hashem, our G-d, and with whoever is not here with us today."
In my experience in speaking with students, I find a common difficulty that people seem to have in committing to religion, namely G-d, is that they feel a disconnect. Granted, Hashem supposedly had a series of conversations with Israel during their trek through the desert - but what does that have to do with us? The answer can be found in this week's parasha - and it is beautiful!
I think it's safe to say that human nature is to always put ourselves first. In fact, I remember the night that I was accepted into Hatzalah. They gathered all of the new members for an orientation so we could fill out some paperwork and learn a few of the standard procedures. Among these procedures were the "10-codes" - every emergency personnel organization has its version of them (10-4, 10-5, etc.). Hatzalah has a code "10-1" which means call home. When this code was explained to us, we were told the way to remember it was "the most important person in your life is 'you' so 10-1 means call the #1 person, call your house."
This week, Hashem takes the opposite approach. He gathers the entire nation and begins making them a promise. He promises to make us a people for Him and, in return, He asks us to make Him our G-d. Rashi points out that He takes the initiative - first promising to always be there for us and then asking us to be there for Him. This promise that He makes us is our proof that this world is created for us - not Him. If we were the ones making the promise, we would say that if He agrees to be our G-d, we'll be His people.
So what does all of this have to do with us?! The pasuk says "not with you alone do I forge this covenant and this oath, but with whoever is here, standing with us today before Hashem, our G-d, and with whoever is not here with us today." The Midrash Tanchuma points out that in the beginning of the parasha the Torah states that all of Israel was present. Rather, says Rashi, it is referring to "the generations who are destined to be." It is referring to us. This week, Hashem makes us, as well as all past and future generations a promise that He will always be there for us. All He asks in return, is that we allow him to.
May Hashem grant each of us the ability to set Him before us in everything that we do. With the Yomim Noraim fast approaching, may we recognize this covenant that we established and carry it out as promised. In this zechut, may Hashem bless each of us with a year of health, happiness and success and may we merit to see the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!
Shabbat Shalom!!
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