Can't Stand It? Parshat Nitzavim

What happens when you can't stand something?

Ordinarily, there is a sense of "me" and the thing or person you "can't stand." Reality is split in two, and there is tension, contraction, stress.

How do you rise above this tension?

The Parshah begins:

"Atem nitzavim hayom kulkhem...  
​
"You all stand together today... from your hewer of wood to your carrier of water... to pass into the covenant...״ 

What is a covenant?

A covenant is a special, intentional connection between two beings- a coming together of two, rather than a separation and tension.

How do you connect with the Divine?

Nitzavim Hayom- Stand today- meaning, take your stand in this moment.

When you "stand" your head is raised up- meaning, you can see all that is below- your body, your feelings, your thoughts. Use your head to be aware of yourself in this moment, rather than spinning off into judgments, fantasies, and opinions about what you can't stand! Instead, take your stand in this moment.

From your hewer of wood to your carrier of water-

It doesn't matter what your identity is, what roles you play, what your opinions are. On the level of awareness, we are all the same transcendent presence.

Then it says:

​"L'ma'an hakim ot'kha hayom-
"In order to establish you today..."

That is, establish yourself in the present moment! Make Presence a way of living, not merely a technique or occasional practice.

When your presence burns brightly like the sun, far above your opinions and yet intimately aware of them, then the One Being looks through your eyes, seeing Itself everywhere. Then there is no longer "you" connecting with "God," but there is simply Being, shining forth from everything. From that state, the love and wisdom to make peace and "stand with others" becomes available...

Click Here for more on Nitzavim and a funny dance called "Watch me Nae Nae"...

---