What does the Torah mean by “choose life”?
By Rabbi Shalom Landau.
Rabbi Landau teaches that “Uvacharta bachaim,” choose life, is a command to choose now: “not maybe, not later, choose.” There is no neutral ground, because “not choosing already dropped you on the other side.”
In A Soul at Peace, Rabbi Landau notes that the verse does not say “choose once” or “choose when you reach the crossroads.” It asks for choosing in this moment and in every moment after it. He cites the Sages' warning not to say “When I have free time, I will study,” because you may never have free time. The “when I have time” is itself the choice not to choose.
His practical advice there: sit down and look at everything you “haven't decided yet.” Recognize that you have decided. Then ask whether it is the choice you want. If not, change it. If it is, choose it on purpose, and not through silence.
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In A Soul at Peace: Choose Life
Going deeper: Rabbi Landau's teaching, level by level
Surface claim
“Choose life” leaves no room for standing still.
Deepest human truth
The choice is made right now. Not tomorrow, and not “when I have time.”
More questions from this teaching
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