One Push-up for Teshuva - Nitzavim Veyelech 5784

Someone asked me yesterday:  “How do I prepare practically for the New Year?  I always make all kinds of resolutions, and just like my January 1 resolutions, they don’t last more than a few days.”  I told him the allegory that the Ba’al Shemtov (founder of Chassidism) told relating to the sound of the Shofar.  In short, a king had an only son who was raised in the sheltered lifestyle of the palace and he wanted to expose him to the real world.  He sent him off to travel with some servants and lots of money, but the prince squandered the money and dismissed the servants, and descended into a life of depravity.  His royal clothes ripped and he started eating bad food, forgetting all the manners he learned in the palace.

 

One day the prince realized how far he had strayed from the royal life that was his heritage, and decided to return to the palace.  But at the palace nobody recognized him and they wouldn't let him in.  He had even forgotten how to speak so that they would believe that he was really the prince, so he stood outside his father 's window and cried out “Father!”  The king recognized his voice and welcomed him with great love back to the palace.  That simple, heartfelt cry of “Father!” is represented by the simple sound of the Shofar, the return of every Jew to our father in Heaven.

 

I think about that moment when the prince decided to get out of his depraved life and head back to the palace.  He has a long way to go.  He’s going to have to figure out how to get back, and he has to try to re-learn the palace way of life.  But that beginning, when he makes the decision to return and takes the first few steps, that is the start of his new royal life with great lessons learned.  When I think of Teshuva, I think of that moment. 

 

Teshuva does not require us to become someone we are not.  The word Teshuva means return.  Each of us has a soul that is a “child of the King.”  We may have “left the palace” and perhaps moved away from the proper behavior that is appropriate for our status as one of Hashem’s children, but Rosh Hashanah is the time that we remember who we are and where we really belong.  We may not be able to make the journey to full righteousness in one day.  But the decision to move in that direction is the first step that sets us on the right path.

This is why our Sages suggest that at this time of year we each accept upon ourselves to add or improve one positive Mitzvah, refrain from transgressing one negative Mitzvah, and accept one new good behavior.  The point is to take a practical step that is sustainable and will lift you up, leading to more steps over the course of the year.

I once heard about a book entitled “One push-up a day.”  The author wrote that after years of failed New Year fitness resolutions - joining a gym, buying a treadmill and then a stationary bike, taking up jogging every day, all of which lasted no more than a couple of days - he decided he would commit to one push-up per day.  If he felt tired or lazy, he could always manage one push-up.  He got into bed and remembered he had not done his push-up, and it only took a few seconds to get out of bed and do his push-up.  He started doing more, but he never missed at least one a day, and gradually he became more and more fit and changed his life.  

One more Mitzvah, one less transgression, with a solid commitment to keep it up, is a realistic way to approach Teshuvah.  One Mitzvah leads to another, and ultimately will transform us and the world, bringing light and redemption.

This Shabbat we will read the double Parsha Nitzavim and Vayelech.  The opening words are:  “You are all standing this day before Hashem your G-d… to enter the covenant of Hashem...” The simple meaning of this verse is that Moshe is addressing the people who are about to enter the Land of Israel to begin their lives as a nation in its country.  However there are many layers of meaning to every word of the Torah, and I would like to share an eternal, relevant message in these words that we always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.  

Our Sages point out that in several places in the Torah the word “Hayom” - this day - alludes to “the Great Judgment Day” - Rosh Hashanah.  (For example, we say in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy: Ze hayom techilat maasecha - “this day” [marks] the beginning of Your work.”  So the verse is referring to standing before Hashem on the upcoming day of Rosh Hashanah, and there is a promise here:  “You are standing this day...”  The word “Omdim” in Hebrew means standing, but Moshe uses the word “Nitzavim,” which is better translated as “standing upright” and victorious in judgment. 

  

“Day of Judgment” typically conjures up images of a harsh judge waiting to punish us.  But throughout our literature and liturgy, Hashem is referred to as a merciful Judge, one who forgoes punishment and forgives iniquity.  A loving Father who desired kindness and offers compassion.  Hashem’s mercy is boundless.  Moshe is telling us:  remember the covenant, turn to Hashem and you will stand upright in judgment.

This message is especially important now.  We have had a painful year with horrific pain and suffering.  We have, for the most part, pulled together and strengthened our Jewish identity and connection to Hashem, the Torah and our people.  We must move forward with faith.  We pray that our hostages will be returned, that our troops will be successful beyond natural expectations, and that the people of Israel will be safe.  May the suffering end and the New Year bring material and spiritual abundance and true peace and harmony.  May you be inscribed and sealed for a sweet year.