(2005/5766)

In Parshat Nitzavim, the Torah writes (30:15), “Re’eh Natati Lifneichem Hayom Et HaChayim VeEt HaTov VeEt HaMavet VeEt Hara,” “See, I have placed before you today life and good, and death and evil.”  An obvious question must be posed: why does the Torah write the seemingly superfluous word of Hayom, “today?”  We know that the Torah has no extra words, and is it not obvious that Hashem is saying these words today?  What does the Torah come to teach us through this word?

Rav Moshe Feinstein Z”L explains that every day, a person wakes up and has the opportunity to do either good or bad.  Will this person or will he not say Modeh Ani, daven, recite Berachot before he eats, etc.?  This person’s past is irrelevant.  Just because one has never done Mitzvot before and has been a non-observant Jew from the day he was born does not mean he is exempt from doing Mitzvot now and in the future.  Conversely, just because a man has always been the biggest Tzadik in the world does not mean he will continue with his righteous acts.  For example, the Gemara tells a story of a great Tanna referred to as Acheir, who after many years of being a great Tzadik and one of the Gedolei HaDor abandoned Torah and Mitzvot and left Hashem.

Every day, we must feel as if Hashem is commanding us once again to do every single Mitzvah.  We must realize that we have two roads in front of us: the road of the good and the road of the bad, the road of Mitzvot and the road of Aveirot.  Which road will we choose?  We must strive to always choose the road of the good and follow the path of righteousness, and to be constantly involved in Mitzvot and Ma’asim Tovim.  With Rosh Hashanah merely three days away, it is incumbent upon all of us to do Mitzvot and Teshuvah even if we have neglected them for a long time.  Every day we must feel as if we are accepting the Mitzvot upon ourselves once again.

-Adapted from a Dvar Torah in Torah Lodaas