Nitzvim Walk With The Heroes!

Nitzvim     Walk With The Heroes!

Elul 27/28, 5775   September 11/12, 2015

 "See, I set before you this day life and prosperity, death and adversity.  For I command you this day, to love the Lord your G-d, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His laws, and His rules, that you may thrive and increase, and that the Lord your G-d may bless you in the land that you are about to enter and possess.  But if your heart turns away and you give no heed, and are lured into the worship and service of other G-ds,  I declare to you this day that you shall certainly perish; you shall not long endure on the soil that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.  I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life — if you and your offspring would live —  by loving the Lord your G-d, heeding His commands, and holding fast to Him. For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure upon the soil that the Lord swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them."

(Deuteronomy 30:15 - 30:20)

How does this powerful passage have meaning in today’s ‘modern’ world and how might it apply?  Who are today's Abrahams, Isaacs, and Jacobs (or Ruths and Esthers)? Who just might be OUR heroes who have had a powerful impact full of benevolence, show reverence and had a strong social and moralistic impact? Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman, Bill Gates, Princess Di, Oprah Winfrey, Harvey Milk, Abraham Lincoln, just some of the heroes of everyday life,past and present.   Each has made a major impact in modern history. 

Harvey Milk is a person I’d like to present & how this Torah portion, especially this last passage relates and pertains to him.

Harvey Bernard Milk (B. May 22, 1930 – D. November 27, 1978): 

“American politician who became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.”

Controversy surrounded and built up around him until, He said later, "I finally reached the point where I knew I had to become involved or shut up"    Milk, ran for city council and lost his first few attempts, but still helped people around him, and built a strong platform and beautiful relationships, and later finally won that seat on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.  He was a proud person and stood for justice and equality – “Causes were also important to Milk: he promoted larger and less expensive child care facilities, free public transportation, and the development of a board of civilians to oversee the police. He advanced important neighborhood issues at every opportunity” and honestly cared about his neighbors and surroundings to make it a better place and environment!

Even when initiatives were being fought and not won by the popular vote, his take; “We are educating………………..”

Harvey Milk was assassinated and died at the age of 48; Milk had a MAJOR and loving impact on humankind. He was a true hero for all human-kind, and was taken way too early from us. A true Angel.

How about our anti-heroes (not being too specific-we all know the villains and haters) or the people/groups that show malicious intent, or the not so correct people?  We can always feel the hurt, we can feel and experience the horrible pain, the loss, and A-L-L in major disbelief!  We do indeed see it!  We question it with a disgusting AWE!  It is absolutely awful and despicable!  We as the masses can literally stop and shut down? – ABSOLUTELY NO!.......WE MUST CONSTANTLY STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS IN AN ACCEPTABLE AND RESPECTABLE MANNER AND HAVE A PROACTIVE IMPACT ON ALL SOCIETY…This is what G-d is telling us!!! 

 As Harvey Milk stated, “Even when initiatives were being fought and not won by the popular vote, his take; “We are educating………………..” “ 

Let’s continue to EDUCATE, and, “ For I command you this day, to love the Lord your G-d, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His laws, and His rules, that you may thrive and increase, and that the Lord your G-d may bless you in the land that you are about to enter and possess. “