As Moshe continues his farewell address, he speaks
rhetorically about the lack of barriers to living a life of Torah observance
and study. Moshe continues: “Rather, the matter is very near to you, in your
mouth and in your heart, to perform it.” (Devarim 30:14)
Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz notes that the word order in this
verse appears counterintuitive 1. Usually, we first think about an
action we want to take (it’s ‘in our heart’) and then we do
something, either by speaking (it’s “in our mouth”), walking, or engaging in some
other form of conscious movement. So what do we make of the reverse order in
this verse? Rabbi Pelcovitz answers that there are times when an opportunity or
imperative to do a mitzvah presents itself and we do not feel motivated to act.
Moshe’s advice for these types of situations – act anyway and your feelings
will come around.
Rabbi Pelcovitz cites the Sefer HaChinuch, which notes
sagely that: “The heart follows man’s actions.” We may see this in our own lives, when we find ourselves at the
precipice of a holy day or an important social occasion that we ‘don’t feel
quite ready for … yet.” Still, because time marches on despite our fervent
wishes to the contrary, we plunge ahead and do our best to make the most of the
event. And when we look back afterwards, we take some justified pride that – no
matter our initial disposition or the distractions of our busy life – we managed to
readjust, focus, and observe the mood of the moment as best we could.
1 = In “Action Inspires and Motivates,” a Dvar
Torah in his book Table Talk: Shabbos and Yom Tov Divrei Torah.
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