Time for Change

Va Yelech

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Précis: The death of Moses approaches, and he transfers his mantle of leadership to Joshua as his successor. Moses orders regular reading of the Law, and then transfers the written Torah into the hands of the Levites for safekeeping, in the Ark of the Covenant.

Deuteronomy 31:7 “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.’” 

We read this parasha on the Shabbat (Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat of Return) before Yom Kippur. The concept of change is at the center of our thoughts. The story of the transition from the leadership of Moses to that of Joshua offers some guidance about change. In the verse cited above, Moses models how change is made by a great leader. He gives his blessing to Joshua, his successor. He encourages his successor, and does so in public. Moses gives Joshua some direction, but critically leaves it to Joshua how to achieve his mission. Moses demonstrates for us all of the important external parts of change for a leader.

We may recall that Moses previously had bitterly complained to the People that it was “their fault” he could not lead them into the Promised Land. Now he understands that the time for a change is now, and he makes his peace with it graciously.He has changed within. The verse teaches us that in order to be real, human change must be both internal and public.

Benjamin Disraeli once remarked that “Change is inevitable. Change is constant.” But is change really “inevitable?” Is it “constant?” Change has been constant for the last 100 years, but prior to that, change was never constant at all. It was the norm for hundreds if not thousands of years for the grind of daily life to remain unchanging. Recently, anthropologists have found evidence of human cave art that is at least 40,000 years old. This means that for tens of thousands of years there was no significant change in the human condition. In the last hundred years or so, of course, the pace of change in the world has been stunning and even overwhelming.

So the rate of change is not constant. But is change inevitable? In terms of human leadership (like Moses), some change is certain, since all human life comes to an end. But what about the kind of change we are seeking during the Yamim Noraim? Internal change is not inevitable unless we make it so.

Here is the test of real change for us: can we become more gracious, more accepting, and more caring of those who need help? Can we become better parents and children and spouses? Can we help our communities even more than we do? Can we accept the kind of change which our tradition offers us? With faith in God and faith in our ability to change, perhaps we can. May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a year of health, happiness, and prosperity.

A New Year Prayer for Unity

Nitzavim

Deuteronomy 29:9 -30:20

Précis: Moses continues to address the People: You stand (nitzavim) this day before Adonai. In his final words to the People, Moses recounts the wonders Adonai had done for them, and calls upon them to remain loyal to God through the Covenant. The extent of the relationship is explained: it will survive exile and captivity with a return to the Land. The Torah is an “open book” that is accessible to all. A blessing and a curse have been set before the People, and they are to make a choice. Moses urges them to choose the blessing, to choose life, so that they may inherit the Land which God has sworn to their forefathers.

Deuteronomy 29:9 -11 “You stand this day, all of you, before Adonai your God -  your tribal heads, your elders, your officials, all the men of Israel; your children, your wives, even the stranger in your camp, from wood chopper to water drawer, to enter into the Covenant of Adonai your God…”

This week we read Nitzavim just a few days before Rosh Hashanah, one of the great gathering holidays for the Jewish People. Joined together in congregations, we have a powerful example of what can be: a sense of Jewish unity.  The verse we review here is a reminder of that unity: k’lal Yisrael. All stand together before God, from the highest to the lowest. It is a Jewish ideal, and is also an American ideal. It is also unfortunately true that our grasp often exceeds our reach. 

Unity is just as important for America, and for now seems beyond our grasp as well. As I write these words, we are just 11 years removed from "9/11." The spirit of American national unity which appeared possible at that time now seems somehow quaint, perhaps lost for good. Consensus and compromise, once the hallmarks of our democracy, have become highly charged negative words in the current American political patois.  

            Israel is not much more better off, with deep political divisions of its own.The nature of coalition government in the State of Israel requires at least some cooperation, but the price is high. Recent events have underscored the deep divides between different parts of Israeli society, religiously, socially, and politically.

            Finally, there is an unfortunate growing lack of unity between Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora. Polls indicate a decrease in support for Israel among Jews who live outside of the Land, and among the more politically active, the importance of Israel has lost priority all too frequently to other issues.

            There is a famous statement from Kohelet (Ecclesiastes): “There is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). Divisions among Jews is nothing new. It is so ingrained that it is a source of humor (two Jews, three opinions). Severe challenges to unity have existed from our earliest days and continue today. But as this verse reminds us, we Jews have also managed to stand together before God to accept a Covenant. Our upcoming High Holy Day liturgy is imbued with the concept of unity: we confess, publicly, and acknowledge the sins which “we” have committed.

This verse reminds us that unity among the Jewish People remains a possibility. This is also true for America, for our congregations, our families, and our communities. May the coming New Year be one of increasing unity for all of us.