This week's parsha

Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.

Approaching Others

Published: 29 September 2012 | Written by Mordechai Wollenberg

This week's Torah reading starts with the statement "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; may the earth hear the words of my mouth."

Two different Hebrew words are used for what, at first glance, is the same idea. Regarding the heavens, the verse says ha'azinu, literally "give ear" -- pay heed, listen up, take note, etc. Regarding the earth, the verse uses the word v'tishma, meaning "it shall hear." The commentators mention that this difference is based on the different "customers." When it comes to the heavens (from whom our expectations are naturally higher) a harsher tone is used; whereas regarding the more vulnerable earth the somewhat softer "it shall hear" is used.

As we have noted before, there is a concept that "words which come from the heart ... enter the heart." In other words, when we speak sincerely and target our words correctly, they will be well received. Conversely, if we find that our words are not being well received, it is a sign that something is wrong in our delivery and approach.

We find this lesson in this week's parshah. When Moses is addressing the heavens and the earth, he adopts an appropriate tone of voice, depending on who he is dealing with.

What to do on your 120th birthday

Published: 19 September 2012 | Written by Levi Avtzon

Q: What do you wish a young man on his 120th birthday?

A: Have a great day!

There aren't many people these days (if any) who hit the great age of 120, but for argument's sake, let's imagine that you would be celebrating your 120th birthday today, with your body in full function. What would you do?

Would you go skydiving?

Would you finally try out some illegal substances, or do some immoral act which you never permitted yourself earlier in your life?

Would you sit and count the minutes until the end?

Would you spend some quality time with your kids (if they are still living), grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids, great-great-great-grandkids?

Would you hire a film crew to capture your last day on earth?

Would you cry your eyes out in repentance?

The Second Level of Choice

Published: 11 September 2012 | Written by Tali Loewenthal

The title of this week's Torah reading is Nitzavim, which means "standing," is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah. In this reading, Moses addresses the entire people standing together, whether leaders, elderly sages, or water-carriers. All were gathered to listen to what Moses had to say.

Towards the end of his talk Moses says: "Look, I am putting before you today life and goodness, and death and evil... You should choose life, so that you and your children should live." Moses was saying that the path of Torah brings life and well-being.

There are two levels to this idea. One is that a person can see a variety of ways to live. Thinking through the possibilities and probabilities, it seems to him or her that a life guided by Torah teaching is likely to bring a more profound level of happiness, a greater degree of personal fulfillment. So he or she chooses the path of Torah, the path of life. This is one level of choice. It is guided by one's understanding, and by the feeling that Judaism brings harmony and other positive values to one's life.