"So when negativity surrounds," This famous lyric by Matisyahu is in his incredible song "One Day", sounds like it was written for today. As the summer winds down and we begin looking ahead, some of us might be overwhelmed by the intense negativity surrounding our world and especially our community. What do we do? How do we cope?
The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, where we read the second rendition of the Ten Commandments, as spoken by Moshe to the Jewish people before they entered the Land of Israel. While the commandments are essentially the same as the first version given at Mount Sinai, there are subtle but profound differences.
One of the most famous changes is in the commandment about Shabbat. At Sinai, we were told "Zachor et Yom HaShabbat" – remember the Shabbat. Here, Moshe tells us "Shamor et Yom HaShabbat" – guard the Shabbat. Our sages teach that Zachor and Shamor are two sides of the same coin. Remembering Shabbat is the positive – to honor it, speak of it, and fill it with joy. Guarding Shabbat is the protective – to ensure nothing desecrates it, to shield its holiness from intrusion.
Moshe, standing on the threshold of the Land of Israel, was teaching a critical lesson: it's not enough to cherish something; we must also protect it from harm. This message, given at the close of forty years of wandering, was rooted in history. The Jewish people had faced many tests in the desert, and Moshe was reminding them not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
The lesson applies far beyond Shabbat. In our own lives, it's not enough to "remember" the good – our values, our heritage, our connection to G-d. We must also actively "guard" them from anything that can chip away at their strength. In today's world, challenges come from both the outside and the inside. Outside, there is a constant stream of cynicism, distraction, and moral confusion. Inside, we can sometimes let doubt, fear, or negativity take root. Moshe's words ring out across the generations: protect the sanctity of your inner world just as fiercely as you protect your holy days.
When the Jewish people take this approach, cherishing what is good while shielding it from harm, we remain spiritually strong. This inner strength is what enables us to withstand any challenge without letting darkness seep into our souls. It is also the spiritual posture that prepares us for redemption. Moshe promised the people that they would inherit and inhabit the Land of Israel. That promise is eternal. By guarding both our Shabbat and our spirit from all negativity, we pave the way for the ultimate fulfillment of that promise, when we will enter the Land in peace and holiness with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days.