What would you do if today were your last day on Earth? How would you spend your time? These deep and probing questions force us to reflect on how we live our lives. Often, life can seem routine, and we may fall into the trap of thinking we have all the time in the world. However, this week’s parsha, Netzavim, offers us a sobering reminder about the value of time and the importance of seizing every moment.
Rashi informs us that Parshat Nitzavim was dictated by Moshe on the last day of his life. After 120 years of incredible leadership and spiritual growth, Moshe used his remaining time to impart final words of wisdom. This teaches a profound lesson: When time is limited, what we say and do takes on greater significance. Moshe didn’t use his final hours in self-reflection alone; instead, he used them to teach, inspire and guide the Jewish people. What does this tell us? That even in our last moments, we can strive to impact others in a positive way.
Regret is often described as one of the most painful emotions. Psychologists emphasize that people at the end of their lives tend to regret the things they didn’t do rather than the things they did. This aligns with a teaching from the Talmud (Yoma 86b), where it says that repentance (teshuva) is not just about regretting past sins but also recognizing missed opportunities for growth. Moshe’s message that “it is not distant… you don’t have to reach to the Heavens or cross the sea… Rather, this is very near to you, just do it” (Devarim 30:14) reinforces the notion that spiritual growth and change are within our reach.
Lucille Ball’s quote, “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done,” emphasizes a truth that resonates deeply in Jewish thought. The Sefer Chassidim teaches us that the person who postpones good deeds is like one who plants no seeds in the spring and then wonders why they have no crops to harvest in the fall. Time, once lost, cannot be regained, but the present moment offers a fresh opportunity.
In Pirkei Avot (2:15), Rabbi Tarfon teaches: “The day is short, the task is great and the Master of the House is insistent.” Our time is finite, but the potential to achieve spiritual greatness within that time is boundless. Each day is a new chance to plant those seeds.
Moshe’s leadership began when he was 80 years old. The incident of the burning bush, which inspired his career to be a leader of the Jewish people, did not happen until he was 80 years old, far past what most would consider their golden, retirement years. Yet, it was not just a call to action, but a reminder that it is never too late to start fulfilling one’s potential.
Moshe could have thought, “I’m too old for this,” or “What difference can I make now?” But instead, he devoted the next 40 years of his life to guiding the Jewish people. In today’s world, many people struggle with the notion that they are “too late” to pursue their dreams or make meaningful change. Yet the story of Moshe, alongside countless stories from the Sages, teaches us that age is irrelevant when it comes to fulfilling one’s purpose.
Consider Rabbi Akiva, another figure who got a late start. At 40 years old, Akiva was an illiterate shepherd. But upon seeing water carve its way through a rock, he realized the power of persistence and began to study Torah, ultimately becoming one of the greatest sages in Jewish history. His famous saying, “All is foreseen, but free will is given” (Pirkei Avot 3:15), echoes Moshe’s lesson. Despite knowing the challenges ahead, the choice to act and make the most of the time we are given is in our hands.
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we have a perfect opportunity to reflect on how we can make the most of our time. The New Year is not just a marker of the passage of time; it is a reminder that we have the ability to renew ourselves, to begin again. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov famously said, “If you believe you can destroy, then believe you can repair.” Even if we have wasted time in the past, now is the time to seize the moment and begin anew.
Moshe’s final message urges us to act now, without hesitation. His words serve as a reminder to stop procrastinating on the important things in life—whether that’s pursuing spiritual growth, nurturing relationships, being a good parent or spouse or striving toward our other goals. Just as Moshe’s life was filled with purpose until the very end, we too can live purposefully, embracing every day as an opportunity for growth.
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, let us take inspiration from Moshe’s final day and his late start in life. None of us know how much time we have left. Time is precious, and every moment offers an opportunity for greatness. Whether we are young or old, the message remains the same: Just do it now. May we all be blessed with the wisdom and courage to act on our dreams and aspirations, and may the coming year be one of health, creativity, peace and spiritual growth.
Rabbi Dr. Avi Kuperberg is a forensic, clinical psychologist and a member of the American Psychology-Law Society. He is the coordinator of Bikur Cholim/Chesed at Congregation Torah Ohr in Boca Raton, Florida. He can be reached at [email protected].
