בס”ד

Parashat Nitzavim – INSIDE OF YOU

This week’s Torah reading, called Nitzavim (to stand firm), contains the verse that forms the basis of the Tanya, the central book of Chabad-Chassidic thought: “For it is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.”

This week’s Torah reading is called Nitsavin, which means “standing firm.” It contains one of the most famous verses upon which a huge and important book called Tanya, written by the Alter in 1796, is based. The verse in this week’s reading says:

“Because it is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.”

What Is “Very Close”?

What is “very close”? Commentaries actually debate exactly what the Torah is referring to. Some say it refers to the study of the Torah itself. Others say it refers to teshuva, returning to G-d and drawing closer to Him.

In any case, in any translation, the point remains: fulfilling the will of G-d. The Torah is saying that this is something very close to you.

If it is “in your mouth,” it means to perform the commandments that involve the mouth. Speak properly, refrain from harmful speech, and so on.

“To do it” means simply to do it, as it says—like the famous saying, “just do it.” This closeness is not only in the mouth, not only in your hands or actions, but also in your heart—to feel it, to feel love and fear for G-d. We won’t define precisely what that means here, but the point is that the Torah is saying it is very close to you.

Understanding the Verse in Action

If we focus only on the mouth, it seems easy—you can just say the words you need to say.

If we focus on “to do it,” you can simply do the commandments even if you don’t feel anything, because that is what G-d commands.

But how can the Torah say that it is very close to a person to feel love for G-d and fear for G-d?

This question is the basis and the foundation of the book Tanya.

Tanya is essentially the written Torah of the Chabad movement in Kabbalah.

What Is the Answer?

The Alter offers several answers, presenting different perspectives of the same answer. Basically, these answers can be divided into two categories:

  1. Understanding for Jews
  2. Understanding for non-Jews

Understanding for Jews

The Alter explains that every Jew, regardless of life circumstances, has within them—as if it were part of their “hardware”—the love for G-d and the fear of G-d. This is part of their very nature.

Where does it come from? Chapter 18 of Tanya explains that this is inherited from Abraham. Since Abraham, our forefather, loved G-d so deeply—even being willing to sacrifice his only son—G-d expressed His love for Abraham by giving him a gift.

This gift ensures that all descendants of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, have, as part of their very being, the love and fear of G-d. Sometimes this is hidden and needs to be aroused or developed, but the potential is always there.

It naturally arises in critical life situations, when a person’s connection to G-d is challenged. The Jew can say, “I can’t be separated from this.” It is inside of you. You don’t have to create it; you just need to awaken it.

Understanding for Non-Jews

But this leaves non-Jews out of the equation, as they are not descendants of Abraham—though converts spiritually become like descendants. How can the Torah say it is very close even for them to love and fear G-d?

There is a teaching in Jewish mysticism, particularly in Kabbalah, that addresses this. It is also mentioned in the Midrash: on the second day of creation, G-d separated the waters above from the waters below.

The waters below complained and “stood up,” asking the angel who governs them:

“We want to be in front of the King. Why did you leave us out?”

The waters above, representing the spiritual worlds, are close to G-d, while the waters below, representing the physical world, do not feel G-d directly.

The sages explain that G-d’s answer was that the waters below would participate in offerings in the Temple—through the pouring of water during Sukkot, by including salt in the seas, and through every single offering. These acts bring them closer to G-d, as the offerings ascend spiritually to Him.

The Question Itself

Beyond G-d’s answer, the question itself is important. Even engaging with the question is considered Torah study, as Torah is the will of G-d.

The question expresses a desire inherent in creation: every aspect of the world, even the physical, seeks closeness to G-d.

Thus, even non-Jews, as part of creation, have within them a desire to be in front of G-d. This desire may be difficult to awaken or develop, but it exists.

Conclusion

This is why the Torah says, in Hebrew:

“It is very close to you”—this feeling of love for G-d and fear for G-d.

It is not only in words, not only in actions, but also in the heart. It is ingrained within creation: a desire to be close to G-d.

Talk from Rabbi Tuvia Serber


The above is a representation of the spoken text converted to written text.

© Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further.

Our blogs may contain text/quotes/references/links that include copyright material of 
Mechon-Mamre.org, Aish.com, Sefaria.org, Chabad.org, and/or AskNoah.org, which we use in accordance with their policies.