As we begin the last book of the Torah, Moses confronts this question in Parshat Devarim.
Even the title begs the question. Devarim, what are the words and things? What is the story we will tell to those we hope will carry it in their hearts after we are gone?
For most of us, this requires us to project forward in order to look back. But it cannot be make-believe; our legacy will be based on the life we live. The things we do will be the basis for the memories our loved ones will recall. How we touch their lives will define whether they can celebrate having had us in their lives. Our legacy will not have the great accomplishments of Moses, of course as our tradition tells us, there has never been another like Moses. Our legacy will be the impact and influence we have had on our loved ones. But will we be the best version of ourselves?
The story is told of Reb Zusya, the Chasidic Master, who struggled at the end of his life. He awoke panicked from a dream about the prospect of entering Heaven. His students tried to support their beloved teacher claiming he was indeed great like Moses and Abraham. Zusya replied that he knew that God would not compare him to Moses and Abraham but instead, God would ask why Zusya wasn’t more like Zusya?
If we do not live up to all that we can be, we do not realize our full potential. And importantly, we let ourselves and our loved ones down. Only we can write our story by living our lives as best and as fully as we can. Then we will truly leave a worthy inheritance, a life of merit and honor, of love and accomplishment that will touch the hearts of those we care about.
