“For this commandment which I command you this day is not concealed from you, it is not far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up to heaven for us and fetch it for us, to tell it to us, so that we can fulfill it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and fetch it for us, to tell it to us, so that we can fulfill it?” Rather, this thing is very close to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can fulfill it.” (Devarim 30:11-14)
Which “commandment” was Moshe Rabbeinu referring to? Many of the commentaries explain that Moshe was not referring to one specific mitzvah, rather to the Torah in its entirety. Moshe was telling the people: “Although there are many mitzvos and expectations – do not get overwhelmed. There are many obligations and responsibilities, but you will succeed.” Others explain that the mitzvah (commandment) refers to the mitzvah of teshuva (repentance and return). Although we may stray far from God, the ability and opportunity to return and rekindle the relationship is always available to us.
Whatever the precise definition may be – the message is the same. Creating personal holiness, cultivating a spiritual identity, and cementing a passionate relationship with God may seem difficult, but all of our spiritual aspirations are within reach.
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) advances an alternate insight. Moshe says to the Jewish people: “lo ba’shamayim hi (it is not in the heavens).” God does not ask you to live in the heavens – God does not expect us to achieve angelic perfection. He does not ask us to stop being human and live in the celestial sphere. He does not even demand of us to be wholly righteous.
What does God ask of us?
“Ki karov eilecha hadavar (this thing is very close to you).” Just reach a bit beyond yourself. Hashem wants us to grow. It does not have to be dramatic or heroic growth – just be a little more, just become a bit holier each and every day. When Yaakov fled from home to escape the wrath of Esav, he received a magnificent vision. He saw a ladder with its base on the earth, yet its top extended into the heavens. What was the meaning of this vision? Yaakov was to be the father of the 12 tribes, the father of Bnai Yisroel, and God was communicating to him the Divine expectations of Yaakov’s offspring. God says to us: “Life is a ladder – all I ask is that you try to advance up the rungs. You need not climb two at a time; you need not ascend at a quick pace – just climb. Just take the opportunities that are within reach (karov – close) and find a way to move yourself and your life forward.”
This was one of the last messages Moshe gave to our ancestors. Moshe, who taught us so much, provided us with the Divine framework for successful living and concluded his tenure of leadership with a simple message: God does not expect perfection; God does not need us to be angels. He just wants us to grow. All Hashem desires is for us to climb the ladder of personal development and self-actualization.
