In this week’s Torah portion, Haazinu, Moses begins by calling out to the heavens and the earth to hear his words.  

On the last day of his life, in his final speech, why is Moses spending time talking to the heavens and the earth?

There is a medrash that gives a few answers to this question.  One answer is that Moses wasn’t sure if, after he died, he would end up in the heavens or… the opposite.  Either way, he wanted to be in the good graces, so to speak, of the place where he was going.  So he addressed them in advance to give them respect.  

But, was there really a chance that, after all Moses had done over his lifetime, that he not ascend to the heavens after his passing?  

It may be obvious to us that Moses’ soul would rise directly to the World of Truth.  But Moses was exceedingly humble, and a humble man never assumes that everything he has done is perfect and meriting reward.  So when he looked at himself through that lens, he wasn’t so sure.  

Rav Shach says that with this act, Moses did one more small thing to help tip the scales in his favour.  Moses maintained his humility even at the end of his life when all his righteous choices of his life could speak for themselves.  He spoke respectfully to the place he was going, and was sure not to denigrate the place he was not going.  A minor act.  But one worth doing all the same.

Right now, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Books of Life and Death are open and Hashem may be considering where to write our name.  Are we so righteous that we can be confident that our verdict will be good?  We’ve done many good things, sure, but do we know that it’s enough?  

Rav Shach suggests that we follow Moses’ example and take on a small thing to improve.  Doing nothing would suggest that we are arrogant and think that a good year is owed to us.  On the flip side, making too drastic of changes in our lives has a chance to backfire.  If we resolve to become completely different people tomorrow, we are likely to fail, and get so discouraged that we go backwards.  

But a small resolution.  Something very manageable.  One that we know we can succeed at.  An extra blessing once a day.  Giving your spouse one compliment each evening.  Dedicating a time every Shabbos to rest from the chaos of life and focus on who you are and who you want to be.  Just one little goal that resonates with you.

By moving in a positive direction, we show G-d that we don’t take all the blessings in our lives for granted.  We have the humility to know that we are not perfect.  We have the desire to get closer to G-d.  Even if it’s just by, a little bit.

May you be signed and sealed for life and good and blessing,

Rabbi A and the JET Team