Rabbi Daniel Fine
In the world’s current political turbulence, there are two words that are often uttered by leaders: ‘responsibility’ and ‘opportunity.’ Responding to chaos (often blaming those who preceded them for causing that chaos), some leaders will speak about the opportunity to rebuild, others about the responsibility to rebuild. Responding to war, turmoil and upheaval, some speak about the responsibility to resolve the issues, others speak about the opportunity to reshape. And truthfully, in life different people warm to these two different narratives and calls to action. Some feel responsibility – if it is their calling, something close to their heart, they gather all their resolves and resources and go tackle the problem. Others aren’t motivated by talk of responsibility. Instead, they are attracted by ‘opportunity.’ What motivates these people is the chance to make a real difference, not necessity or weight on their shoulders.
The story of Sefer Devarim (the summary / repetition of the Torah) is very much a reference to these two types of people. At the start of Devarim Moshe only hints at the people’s past sins, in implicitly calling for repentance and learning from past mistakes. That’s enough of a message for the Jew of opportunity. But in later parashiyos, Moshe goes ‘all out’ and berates the people explicitly for their past sins – sparing very few details. This is for the Jews who are centered around responsibility. In parshas Va’eschanan (7:7) Moshe tells the people that they are entering the land in their own merits – this is apt for the Jews of opportunity. Whilst in parshas Eikev (9:4) Moshe rebukes the people, reminding them that it’s not because of our own merits that we will enter the land, it’s because of the sins of the inhabitants. This harsh talk is for the Jews of responsibility.
In truth, these two types can be found when the Torah was given back in parshas Yisro. The Imrei Emes highlights the fact that (Shemos 19:1) Hashem gives Moshe a pre-Matan Torah pep talk to tell the nation. And he is to vary the pep talk – speak softly to some and harshly to others (see Rashi 19:2). Yet Moshe is not allowed to change the contents and he’s only to give the speech once! How can he vary the content to cater to two different groups whilst retaining the same short message? The Imrei Emes answers that the content of the message was that we are a treasured nation, a nation taken out of Egypt with miracles, Hashem’s nation. For some that is harsh – a tremendous responsibility. For others it is an opportunity – a chance to reaffirm their place in history as God’s chosen people.
After October 7th we have seen Jews of responsibility and Jews of opportunity. Some have felt the pressure, pain and difficulty of this juncture and have acted out of responsibility. Fighting back against unfair reporting, rallying round the flag, taking up Israel’s case, davening for the hostages. Others have been Jews of opportunity, being stirred internally by events and feeling a wellspring to connect, express one’s Jewishness and do what they can.
As we move towards Rosh Hashanah some will see this year as a year of responsibility. We have a responsibility as a nation, we have responsibility as a people. And some will indeed see the day of Rosh Hashanah itself as a responsibility – to Hashem, to one’s community, to daven for the nation. Others will also see the day as one of opportunity – a day of closeness to the Divine, a day to shape the coming year, a time to recalibrate and grab the opportunity of a new year, new start and improved self.
As Jews we can harness both of these elements – we can feel the responsibility of our national aspirations, of others’ needs and of living up to our own potentials. But that itself is a huge opportunity – to build, to grow, to develop and to assist.
Wishing only good things, good empowering responsibility and positive opportunities.
