By Rabbi Dovid Markel
The central text of Chabad Chassidism, Tanya, is established upon words that are found in this week’s parsha.
The verse (Devarim 30:11-13) begins with a negation of the various excuses that a person can have for not serving G-d, saying:
“For this commandment which I command you this day, is not concealed from you, nor is it far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and fetch it for us, to tell [it] to us, so that we can fulfill it?'”
Instead of the service of G-d being distant, the verse (Devarim 30:14) states: “Rather, [this] thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it.” The Torah tells us that serving G-d is not only within reach, but is actually “very close.”
Interestingly, while the matter has always been very close to us, it is specifically through the study of Chassidus that we indeed know how to approach the service of G-d in a straight path, which leads from the most distant of places to the King’s palace.
Chassidus reveals, that in the depth of our hearts we already love the Almighty-and we merely need to expose what is already there. For a Jew, the service of G-d is “close,” as it is something that is intrinsic to his very nature.
The knowledge that each of us has the ability to serve G-d, is one that is supremely important. It is for this reason that the Rebbe instituted that this verse be among the 12 verses that are to be engrained in a child’s minds.
When a child-and indeed an adult-knows that G-d’s presence and his Torah are supremely close, he will do his or her utmost to serve G-d.
By Divine Providence, this verse is read each year before Rosh HaShana. It is clear that herein lies an important message. All too often we may think that we are too far-gone. We don’t truly believe that we can transform our lives and once again be close to G-d.
However, this is the lesson of this verse. Nachmanides explains that “this commandment” which is discussed in the above verse, refers to the commandment of Teshuva. Contrary to the belief that is supremely difficult to do Teshuvah, the verse tells us that “is very close to you.” Indeed, from the Talmud (Kiddushin 49b) it is clear that a person can do Teshuva in one instant.
May we indeed completely return to G-d’s loving embrace and may He bless us with a sweet new year-with physical and spiritual prosperity.
