Torah Thoughts - Nitzavim ~ Rabbi David Vorspan, Rabbi-in-Residence Are you a day dreamer? Does your mind wander? Are you easily distracted? If so, I think you are mentioned in this week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim. The Parasha opens with Moses leading the Israelites in a ceremony that will establish a communal covenantal relationship with God. Moses mentions the various groups that are assembled-the tribal heads, elders, officials, men, women and children. And then Moses says, “I make this covenant...not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day before the Lord our God and with those who are not with us here this day.” (Dt. 29:13-14) Who isn’t there? This could refer to all future Jews, or to the physically or mentally challenged who could not be present. It might even refer to those who are off in the restrooms. But could this also be referring to those who are standing there, but thinking about something else? Their minds wandering? Day dreaming? Hearing Moses in one ear, and distractions in the other? This isn’t so farfetched! After all, this describes most of us much of the time. I certainly see it in the eyes of my students-the glazing over. I know when they are drifting off. But I can’t blame them. I tend to do it, too. The question is, How responsible are we for the information we are hearing but not listening to? I tell my students that they are responsible for the work we do in class, whether they are present or not. Most assumes these means when being absent. But it can also mean when we are in the room but not totally present. The essential point is that we are responsible for what is said in our presence, even when we tune it out, because embedded in a recitation of the day’s activities by our spouse might be a hint of apprehension; hidden in our friend’s banter might be a stifled cry for help; layered beneath our children’s questions could be a concern or worry that needs a response. We may miss it as our minds drift off, but this does not exempt us from our responsibility. There can be no excuses: our family and friends deserve more from us. They deserve our mindfulness. Our undivided attention. Consider this: If Moses were reading the Law to Jews today, how many of us would miss it because we are checking our emails?
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:30:00 +0000
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