Take responsibility

Nitzvim and Vayelech.

September 26, 2017

Free will or in other words taking responsibility is an important part of Jewish ethics.  This week is a double parsha, Nitzvim and Vayelech. For past few weeks, in the Torah readings we have been reading many laws, many of them are part of nation building and others have to do with relationships between people.   We read about the punishment God will dispense for non-obedience.  In Deuteronomy 30:14 – 20 we read that God tells us there is good and evil. We have the option to walk in the way of the LORD, keeping the commandments or face punishment or death.  Later in Deuteronomy 31:22-25 we read that when Moses finished writing the word of the law, they were to be put in the Aron Ha-Kodesh.  God gives Yehoshua the charge:  חזק ואמץ Be strong and courageous.

“Choose life” means that we choose life for ourselves and for our children. We must take responsibility for our choices and actions.  We must learn the laws ourselves and teach our children, our colleagues, our empolyees, and others what they need to know to be member of our society and organizations.

The management lesson that we have a basic mission as members of the organization.  If we follow the rules, we will live and prosper; if not, we won’t.  However, this is tempered the charge to be strong.  The rules of the organization do not have the power of law or the holiness of Divine commandments.  “Be Strong” and “choose life” are commands or principles to follow when the situation is beyond the written rules.  No organization has the right to take your life (physical or spiritual).  There are some principles that require courage to fight and change.  When the situation is ambiguous or confusing, one needs to turn to the inner strength and courage to make it right.

I take this opportunity to wish everyone שנה טובה ומתוקה a Happy and Sweet New Year.  Make this year be one of health, physical and spiritual wealth, good health andmay your machines follow your direcstions.. May you have the strength and courage to make your organization stronger and better able to meet the needs of the members and those you serve.