Nitzavim vayelech standing up to Gd

Nitzavim vayelech standing up to Gd

Nitzavim is distinct from kum. Kum means to assume the erect position. Netzev evokes standing up against a  resistance, the normal force in Newtonian mechanics. In the context of the text, it is withstanding the slings and arrows, the sulfur and salt of life under Gd. 

Nitzavim is standing with all the thorns and barbs of the tzadi.

Then comes the fateful phrase: 

28 The secret things belong unto the LRD our Gd; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.{S}

What are these secrets about which we should not trouble our pretty little heads? The random  and discrete ( quantum) underpinnings of the universe? the afterlife? the meaning of this life? 

Should we just follow orders? 

We are given a hint: 

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not too hard for thee, neither is it far off.
יב  לֹא בַשָּׁמַיִם, הִוא:  לֵאמֹר, מִי יַעֲלֶה-לָּנוּ הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וְיִקָּחֶהָ לָּנוּ, וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ אֹתָהּ, וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה.	12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say: 'Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?'
יג  וְלֹא-מֵעֵבֶר לַיָּם, הִוא:  לֵאמֹר, מִי יַעֲבָר-לָנוּ אֶל-עֵבֶר הַיָּם וְיִקָּחֶהָ לָּנוּ, וְיַשְׁמִעֵנוּ אֹתָהּ, וְנַעֲשֶׂנָּה.	13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say: 'Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?'
יד  כִּי-קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר, מְאֹד:  בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ, לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ.  {ס}	14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. {S}

Do we just have to act naturally? Did Ringo get it right? 

יט  הַעִדֹתִי בָכֶם הַיּוֹם, אֶת-הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת-הָאָרֶץ--הַחַיִּים וְהַמָּוֶת נָתַתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, הַבְּרָכָה וְהַקְּלָלָה; וּבָחַרְתָּ, בַּחַיִּים--לְמַעַן תִּחְיֶה, אַתָּה וְזַרְעֶךָ.

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed;

Do the obvious, choose life. Choose what you know (verse 28). 

The double parsha continues with Vayelech:, going on, continuity despite hardship and the death of the leader who brought us out of hardship (Egypt) into hardship ( the desert) and served as our medium. 

This is the parsha of the yahrzeit for my father. He kept his faith through Treblinka, survived from one hardship to another. He chose life, he was chosen for life.  I am chosen to be his son.