There are moments when being Jewish can feel overwhelming. Judaism is not a hobby, a weekend activity, or simply a set of traditions we pull out for the holidays. It is meant to shape every aspect of our lives—how we eat, how we speak, how we conduct business, how we raise our children, how we spend our time, and even how we think. Today, when Jews face rising animosity, relentless criticism, and the emotional weight of watching Israel and the Jewish people endure challenge after challenge, many are quietly asking themselves: Is it worth it? Why carry the responsibility of living differently when it often seems to invite misunderstanding and opposition?
The answer lies in this week's Torah portion, Devarim, which begins the fifth Book of the Torah. Moses stands before the Jewish people in the final weeks of his life. He has led them for forty years, performed miracles, fought battles, and taught them the Torah. Yet his greatest gift may not have been any of those accomplishments. His greatest gift may have been his final address. Devarim is more than a review of history or a repetition of the commandments. It is Moses explaining the "why." He reminds the people not only what G-d asks of them, but why their mission matters. Before they enter the Land of Israel without him, he wants them to understand that Judaism is not merely a collection of obligations; it is a calling that gives purpose to every moment of life.
That question of "why" is one we all need to answer for ourselves. Rules alone rarely inspire commitment. A person can follow habits for only so long before asking whether they still matter. Moses understood that if the Jewish people were going to survive centuries of exile, persecution, and uncertainty, they would need more than laws. They would need conviction. They would need to know that every mitzvah, every act of kindness, every Shabbat candle, every prayer, and every moment of Jewish living is part of a Divine mission to bring holiness into an often-chaotic world. When we know the reason behind what we do, the burden becomes a privilege.
That is why Devarim is always read before Tisha B'Av, when we reflect on the destruction of the Temple and so many painful chapters of Jewish history. It reminds us that while our circumstances may change, our purpose never does. As Moses pleads with the Jewish people, "Know this day and take it to your heart that the L-rd is G-d... there is none else." Faith was never meant to remain in the mind alone. It must travel to the heart, where it shapes our choices, our courage, and our identity. We are not Jewish because life is easy. We are Jewish because G-d entrusted us with an eternal mission to model a meaningful life for the world. Every generation has faced its own headwinds, yet every generation has also produced men and women who chose to embrace their identity with pride rather than retreat from it, and now it's our turn.
This week, let us ask ourselves not only what we do as Jews, but why we do it. Study a little more. Perform one more mitzvah. Have one meaningful conversation with your children or grandchildren about what it means to be part of this remarkable people. When we reconnect with the "why," the "what" becomes infinitely more powerful.
This week, Moses' voice still echoes through the words of Devarim, reminding us that our Jewish identity is not a burden to carry but a legacy to live, and one that is more necessary today than ever before to bring the world together in harmony with the coming of Moshiach speedily, amen!