This
week marks 14 years since September 11, 2001. Like remembering where you were
when Kennedy was shot, or where you were when the space shuttle disaster
happened, people remember where they were on September 11, 2001. I find that I
am rather quite subdued on Sept. 11th. Among the numerous memories I
have and among the numerous stories that I recall are the phone calls that were
made prior to the collapse of the Towers. Realizing they were trapped, many of
those who were stuck on those higher floors found the strength to call their
spouses and to speak to them one final time. They found the courage to speak to
their children and offer final words. Many told their spouses and children how
much they loved them, many told their children to be helpful and courageous,
many told their spouses how blessed they felt for the time they had together.
Many blessed their children and told them how lucky they were to have been
their parent. Even now, when I think about an individual who know that death is
imminent, having courage to share such thoughts, I am inspired and hope that
whenever my time comes, I hope that I will be aware enough to tell my wife and
children how blessed my life has been because of them.
This week’s Parsha is the Parsha Nitzavim. According
the Aggadah, this the recounting of Moshe Rabeinu’s last day of life. Unafraid
of his imminent death, he gathers his family: Rosheichem, Shivteichem, Zikneichem, v’Shotreichem, Kol Ish Yisroel,
Topchem N’Sheichem V’Geircha Asher B’Kerev Machanecha Meichotev Eitzecha Ad
Sho’eiv Meimecha – The heads of your
tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Yisroel; your children,
your women, and the stranger who is in the midst of our camp, from the
woodchopper to the one who draws water (Deut. 29:9-10). Moshe imparts his
last vestiges of wisdom to his children, his people. Moshe wants to make sure
that everything is in order when he dies and Joshua takes over. Moshe truly has
been blessed. He has had the blessing of old age, and here God has granted him
the gift of saying goodbye in perhaps the most wonderful fashion. God has
commanded Moshe to say his goodbyes and impart the final vestiges of wisdom.
We are taught that death is a part of life. Yet many
of us are afraid of death. Many of us believe that we should shield our
children from death, sadness and loss. However when we read Parsha Nitzavim, we
learn that while impending death is sad, death in the manner of Moshe’s can
take on an aura of holiness – of Kedushah. It is in holiness that we attain the
highest level of life, a life that is directly connected to God. When death
comes like this, from God, with an opportunity to say Goodbye- with an
opportunity to impart wisdom to one’s children, death is not mundane, death is
not ordinary, but rather holy and part of life, the final expression of
holiness in a very physical endeavor. When we talk of strength, we
unfortunately think of the person who lifts a lot of weight. We think of the
person who doesn’t cry, who remains stoic if he/she is all torn up inside. At
this time of year, from Elul through Sukkot, when we recite the 27th
Psalm and conclude with the words Chazak
v’Ya’Ameitz Libecha, v’Kavei El Adoshem – Strengthen yourself, and he will give you courage; and hope to HaShem!,
we now understand what it means to strengthen oneself. Moshe had that kind of strength. To be aware
of the end of life, to prepare for it, to draw loved ones toward and tell them
how we feel is the epitome of courage.
In a sense, some of those victims who lost
their lives on September 11th
managed to do something incredibly holy. By calling and either speaking to
their spouses and children or by leaving a message; they managed to reaffirm
life. It has taken me many years to understand and appreciate just how
important that was for the victims and their families. The Jewish People are less than a week from
celebrating Rosh HaShanah, (Jewish New Year). Rosh HaShanah is also known as
Yom HaDin (Judgment Day). So while there is joy at arriving on the brink of a
new year, perhaps there is a bit of anxiety while awaiting Judgment. Whatever
the upcoming year may bring; I hope I have the courage to impart my wisdom to my
children, and tell my wife how much she has blesse my life.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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