Think You Can’t Change? Parashat Nitzavim Says Otherwise

“For this mitzvah that I command you today,” the Torah says in this week’s portion, “is not beyond you, nor is it distant from you.”

What does this teach us about teshuvah, Torah learning, and our ability to grow?

“Could I possibly have some ice cubes?” the guest asked politely.

“No.”

Seeing the guest’s face tighten in embarrassment, the host realized his response had been harsh and explained: “The tribal elder, the only one who knew the recipe for making ice cubes, forgot to teach it to us before he died...”

Is the Torah Really Within Our Reach?

“For this mitzvah that I command you today,” the Torah says in this week’s portion, “is not beyond you, nor is it distant from you.”

The Torah spells out just how “not distant” it is: “It is not in heaven, that you should say: Who will go up for us to heaven and take it for us and let us hear it, so that we may do it?” And if you say that it may not be in heaven, but it is on the other side of the globe, the Torah takes it one step further: “Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say: Who will cross the sea for us and take it for us and let us hear it, so that we may do it?”

Rashi explains: “It is not in heaven, because if it were in heaven, you would have to go up after it and learn it.”

Master of the Universe, the Torah wants to show you just how close this mitzvah is, how attainable it is, how “not distant” it is. So how did Rashi derive nothing less than: “If it were in heaven, you would have to go up after it”?

And let’s say this mitzvah really were in heaven. Does anyone have any idea how to get there?

The Impossible Tower

It seemed hopeless.

He stood near the tower, staring despairingly at its smooth stone walls. The walls rose to an enormous height and gave him vertigo, even though he was standing on solid ground. How exactly was he supposed to reach the top of a tower built as a single solid structure, with not even a ledge between its stones to hold onto?

One thing was clear to him: The king had ordered him to reach the top of the tower, and he would have to carry out the command.

After much thought, his heart sank. There was no way in the world he could climb to the top. But there was also no way in the world that the king’s command would not be fulfilled. He collapsed onto the ground and burst into helpless tears.

“Can I help?”

The voice startled him, but it was at odds with the wise, kind eyes that radiated sympathy.

He had nothing to lose. He would tell him.

“The king ordered me to reach the top of the tower. I’ve spent days exploring countless possibilities, and this request simply cannot be carried out. My life isn’t worth a worn out penny,” he wailed again.

“Did the king give you a deadline, or instruct you which route you had to take to reach the top of the tower?” the clever man asked. “Did he forbid you from climbing in any particular way?”

“No,” the tears choked the lost citizen’s vocal cords. “He only ordered me to climb.”

“Then why are you crying, you fool?” the clever man chided him affectionately. “Go gather raw materials, build a spiral staircase outside the tower, work continuously for a few years, and in the end you will have a safe, comfortable way to reach the top of the tower.”

Seeing the citizen’s astonished expression, the clever man whispered the formula to him in confidence: “The king did not force you to climb the walls. He gave you permission to be creative. So what are you waiting for?”

“It Is Not Beyond You”

In the book Minchah Belulah, the great Rabbi Abraham Menachem Rappaport beautifully explains Rashi’s intent: The Creator of humanity, who placed the yetzer hara within us, knows what the most common excuses will be for distancing ourselves from the mitzvah of teshuvah and from learning Torah. Therefore, He gave a clear answer in advance, showing that even if this mitzvah were “in heaven” or “beyond the sea,” we would be capable of fulfilling it.

And this is the Torah’s personal message to every individual: “It is not beyond you.” Do not say, “I was born differently. I’m not built for this. By nature, I’m incapable.”

That is simply not factually true.

“Nor is it distant.”

So how do we actually do it?

True, there are ships that travel from one side of the ocean to the other. There are even spacecraft that have been “there” and returned. This technology proves that if we were required to cross the sea or rise to the heavens, things that seem beyond human ability, when we truly want to and work hard, we succeed.

But the tools are not massive shipyards or NASA bases for launching spacecraft. We do not even need to be creative or bring materials from home.

All we need is “in your mouth and in your heart.” Simply begin with the mouth: learn Torah and pray to Hashem to help you succeed in returning in teshuvah. Then bring one focused heart that knows what it wants and seeks to serve Hashem.

A simple “recipe”: Start practically with your mouth. Then sprinkle in a little heart. That is the whole story.

Suddenly, we will discover that even the heavens are not the limit!