Nitzvim –Practice Action and Reciprocity

Nitzvim –Practice Action and Reciprocity

September 30/October 1, 2016 

"See, I set before you this day, a life of prosperity, death and adversity.  For I command you this day, to love the Lord your G-d, to walk in that manner, and to keep the commandments, laws, so you may thrive and increase, and that you may feel blessed about 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 and/or beliefs, 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, heeding the commandments. For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure upon the soil that the benefitted 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, and has has enabled humans of all backgrounds, thankfully!  

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 passed away 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…

We may not always agree in a cause, a stance, a reason, or the platform of delivery, but respecting one’s legal rights, and more importantly, their HUMAN RIGHTS is so very vital, be it yesterday, today, and or for our future and all Humankind!

The media, be it in print, or the likes of Social media/Facebook has brought this to the forefront, “ALL LIVES MATTER (YES, THEY DO!!), deriving from BLACK lives matter! (YES THEY DO!!).  Most recently, one may not feel what Colin Kapernick did was correct or on the wrong platform, but….he stood up for what ALL human kind should practice- Sincere and loving reciprocal behaviors.  He has made a statement of Social Impact- agreed or disagreed with the platform is a totally different topic!  He did NOT ‘Shut up’ or roll over- he made an important point that effects ALL Human kind! Equality!

 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, to walk in a positive way and manner, and to keep The commandments, The laws, and The rules, that you may thrive and increase, and that you may be blessed with-in the land that you are about to enter and possess. “  

L' Shana Tova!