Anxiety begins to set in as the Yemei Hadin, the Days of Judgment, quickly approach. The month of Elul beckons us to do teshuvah: to return to Hashem, His Torah and mitzvot. The shofar is sounded each day, blaring like a six am alarm clock; waking us up to make amends, ask for forgiveness, and forgive.

This is time for personal reflection.

The selichot prayers also wake us up- literally and figuratively. Selichot, the additional service that begins this Saturday Night for those who follow the Ashkenazic practice, are prayers asking for forgiveness said in the wee hours of the morning, an auspicious time for prayer; a time of Heavenly mercy. The selichot remind us that Rosh Hashanah is less than a week away.

Parshat Nitzavim, always read on the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hashanah, contains many fundamentals of Jewish belief. It also provides deep insight into teshuvah.

There is a famous passage in our parasha, but one that is difficult to understand given its context:

For this mitzvah which I command you this day, it is not too hard for you, nor is it too far for you. It is not in heaven, that you should say: ‘Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say: ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’ But it is very close to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it. (Devarim 30:11-14)

The words penetrate. But what mitzvah is the Torah referring to? Which mitzvah is not ‘too hard or “too far” from our reach?

Rashi understands these verses to refer to the Torah itself, and more specifically, to Torah study.

Nachmanides, however, explains that our passage is referring to the section that immediately precedes it. The “mitzvah” is Teshuvah, referred to in verse 2: “v’shavta ad Hashem Elokecha- You will return to Hashem your God.” In fact the section that immediately precedes our passage (30:1-10) is sometimes referred to as “parshat hateshuvah- the passage of repentance.” According to this explanation, the Torah is telling us, ‘Don’t worry. You can do Teshuvah, it’s not out of your reach. It’s not in the Heavens or far off at sea. It’s not beyond you.’

Verse 2 adjures us to return “ad Hashem Elokecha.” The language suggests we are to return “ad Hashem,” all the way to God Himself! The task can seem daunting. Nevertheless, the Torah portion this week assures us that we all have an opportunity to come very close to Hashem through teshuvah. It’s not out of anyone’s reach. Even us procrastinators still have a chance!