Nitzavim-Vayelech / Strategizing to perfect ourselves

In our efforts to get closer to G-d in the days leading up to Rosh Hashana, every person employs a different strategy.

Some learn the laws of Rosh Hashana, some give more charity, some pray more fervently or sincerely, Sefardim pray Selichot for a month, we hear the Shofar sound on a daily basis. People are a little nicer to one another.

We give High Holiday greetings, K’tivah Va’Chatimah Tovah (May you be Inscribed and Sealed for a Good Year), send Rosh Hashana cards, and try to make a good showing as the clock ticks towards the moment of truth.

Is there a unique instruction that can help us maintain our focus?

Sometimes a Hassidic thought nails the idea perfectly.

The last verse in our double parsha brings Moshe’s efforts of chapter 29-31 to a close when it declares, “And Moshe spoke the words of this song into the ears of the congregation of Israel, until it was completed.”

The term “until it was completed” is the most likely translation of the two Hebrew words, “Ad tumam,” referring to the completion of the song Moshe was telling over. The dangling modifier allows for the possibility that “ad tumam” refers to the Israelites, that Moshe spoke to them, until they were finished or completed.

It was Rabbi Simcha Bunem of Pshischa who went in this direction — not suggesting the people were finished but that they achieved the meaning of the root word tumam.

Essentially, he suggests that Moshe repeated the song over and over and over again until the people achieved becoming tamim (complete or perfect).

This is the lesson we must carry for ourselves at this time of year.

What will it take for the message of G-dliness to penetrate our minds and hearts? How will we be able to answer for ourselves that we put in our greatest effort?

If we can read through the Rosh Hashana prayers in advance, to familiarize ourselves with them, and to have their impact be felt in our hearts, we may be moved to become more wholesome human beings. If we can hear a message of shuva (return to G-d) over and over, it might be effective.