Parshat Nitzavim – Raquel Levy

Posted on September 10, 2015

In Parshat Nitzavim G-d tells the Jewish people that he has placed before them life and death. “…choose life, so that you will live…” (Deuteronomy, 30:19) At first glance this statement seems quite obvious, a person who chooses life is choosing to live, but here Hashem is not referring to our physical life and death, rather to our spiritual life and death. When it comes to making everyday decisions either our body or our soul can take control. Our body symbolizes physical pleasure whereas our soul symbolizes spiritual desires. Whenever decisions are made that solely serve our bodies, a certain degree of death of our souls takes place . When we make decisions that are in line with the desires of our soul (“soul choices”) a spiritual essence is created and our soul is given a greater sense of life. Although at times it may seem easier to ignore our soul’s cry for spirituality and instead fall victim to our physical body and its demands for pleasure, G-d tells us that “soul choices”, rising above ones lack of motivation , really are what give us life and a feeling of accomplishment and happiness.Use the strength you know you have to start listening to your soul’s desires over those of your body’s. Start choosing life! God wouldn’t have told us to pick life if He hadn’t given us the ability to do so.