Now is the time to put positive changes in effect

By Rabbi Maralee Gordon

Guest Torah Columnist

Torah Portion: Ekev

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

In less than two weeks, with the beginning of the month of Elul, we enter the reflective period of the Jewish year, which lasts nearly two months, through Shemini Atzeret. To truly make changes to get back on our best path takes time and effort.

Concurrently our parsha calendar gives us most of Devarim, the book of Deuteronomy, Moses' reflections on his mission, which can be a useful tool for our reflections on our mission in life.

It's always hard to do the right thing, to make the best decisions, when easier, more entertaining options present themselves. Moses knew it would be hard for the Israelites to stay on the right path once they were in a land full of idol-worshippers (read unhealthy cultural values). After all, as he doesn't let them forget, they made poor choices in the vacuum-sealed laboratory of the desert; how much more difficult it will be in Canaan.

And so it continues to be for us. It's one thing to stand in the vacuum-sealed laboratory of the synagogue on Yom Kippur and resolve to change our attitudes and behaviors. How much more difficult it is back out in the everyday world we live in, when even sitting at home we are bombarded by tempting poor choices via television and Internet.

As the Torah teaches, and we know so well, we need constant reminders. This week's parsha gives the following reminders, among others:

Eat until you are full and then show gratitude. (8:10) Feeling gratitude for what we have eaten means a pause at the end of a meal, even a meal-on-the-run (the last time I sat down for breakfast was on vacation!), not taking for granted that our stomachs and refrigerators are full. But there could be two reminders in this one verse: Eat until you are full-- and not beyond. Maybe it's time to limit our "recreational" eating.

Don't think you got where you are by your own efforts alone, "for it is G-d who gives you power to get wealth; that G-d may establish the covenant which G-d swore unto your ancestors." (8:17) Be grateful for your G-d-given talents and strengths. Don't take them for granted but use them to everyone's best advantage. And remember, your talents and successes don't make you better than anyone else.

It's never too late, everyone gets a second chance. (10:1-11) That the Israelites were able to receive a second set of Ten Commandment tablets, after their failings led to the shattering of the first set, is a reminder to us that we need to get up after our own failings and try again. Wallowing is not an option.

Some of the lessons are for the nation and the nations of the world as a whole:

The earth is not yours, it belongs to G-d. (10:14) We've experienced the disastrous results of treating the earth as our personal treasure trove most recently with the oil spill in the Gulf. What can we do to prevent future devastations?

Deeds of loving kindness and tzedakah are G-d's example to us. (10:18) No matter what our financial circumstances, even if we have had to cut back on the amount of our tzedakah, increasing the time we spend helping others is simultaneously an example to ourselves and to others of good living. Beginning a new volunteer activity, reaching out to those who are ill or alone, is a best practice to take us through this reflective period and into an ongoing habit.

Love the stranger; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (10:19) Have compassion for those who have come here looking for a better life, as your ancestors did previously, and work for immigration reform rather than allowing our government to continue the practice of wrenching immigrants with papers not in order from their families, throwing them in jail and sending them to dangerous places.

If you (as a nation) keep the commandments you will have all of life's blessings -- peace, fertility, health, plenty to eat/wealth, protection from enemy attacks. If not, things will fall apart. (7:12-16) (11:13-18) Things do seem to be falling apart what with inadequate healthcare provisions, greedy financial practices that have cost people their homes and their livelihoods, and greedy business practices that destroy our earth. How can we work together to get back on track?

Have faith not fear. (7:18) Often fear keeps us from doing the right thing -- fear of being different, fear of stirring things up. Faith that we doing the right thing can overcome that fear and lead us to action.

We need constant reminders to stay on the right path, therefore place these words in your heart: bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as focusers on your forehead. Repeat them over and over to your children; reciting them at home and on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (11:18-20)

Constant reminders are built into our Jewish lives, if ... if we actually look at the mezuzah as we pass it, and direct our behavior as we leave our homes and go out into the world, and as we leave the world and come back into our homes. If we repeat the reminder-words (Torah) out loud and in our hearts to ourselves and to our children on a daily basis.

From now through Simchat Torah, we can use the Eleh Hadevarim (these words) of all of Deuteronomy on a daily basis as our reminders and reflections. The words of these weekly portions can be our tools-for-Elul to help us do the work of reflection and at-one-ment in this Season of Return. Ken Yehi Ratzon -- May it be our will!

Rabbi Maralee Gordon is the rabbi of McHenry County Jewish Congregation (Conservative) in Crystal Lake and Congregation Beth Shalom (Independent) in DeKalb.