Choose Positivity

“we can choose to focus not on what limits us, but on what empowers us”

Parashat Vayelech opens with Moshe Rabbeinu’s final words to Am Yisrael:

“I am 120 years old today; I can no longer go out and come in, and HaShem has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’” (Devarim 31:2) Moshe was about to leave the stage, and the people were anxious. They had relied on his leadership for decades. They were about to face new challenges, enter a new land, and fight new battles without him. It would have been natural for them to fall into despair. Instead, Moshe instills in them the discipline of emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust): the ability to frame their reality not through fear of what could go wrong, but through confidence that HaShem would walk with them. This is a key element of a positive mindset in Torah: not blind optimism, but the inner strength to face challenges with courage and clarity because we trust that we are not alone.

At first glance, this could have been a moment of deep despair. Moshe devoted his entire life to leading the people from slavery toward freedom, yet he is told he will not complete the mission by entering the Promised Land. One might expect disappointment or bitterness. Instead, Moshe chooses to focus not on what he is losing, but on what the people are about to gain. He strengthens them with encouragement:

“Be strong and courageous, do not fear… for HaShem your G-d—He goes with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (31:6)

This shift in perspective is the essence of a positive mindset. Rather than dwelling on what he cannot do, Moshe places his attention on the growth, courage, and future of the nation.

Notice Moshe’s choice of words: “be strong and courageous.” Strength alone is not enough; courage is also needed. Strength is about endurance, the ability to withstand pressure. Courage is about perspective—the willingness to step into the unknown with faith. Together, they form the building blocks of a mindset that sees opportunities instead of obstacles, growth instead of failure, and blessing instead of curse.

A positive mindset in Torah is not about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Moshe does not deny that his journey is ending. Instead, he models how to reframe difficulty: by finding purpose, meaning, and faith within it. He transforms a personal limitation into a communal blessing, reminding the people that HaShem’s presence is their constant source of strength.

This lesson is timeless. In life, we often face situations where circumstances are beyond our control—whether it is age, health, opportunities missed, or unexpected setbacks. Developing a positive mindset means asking: How can I view this through a lens of faith? What opportunity for courage or growth is hidden here?

Jewish tradition calls this bitachon, trust in HaShem. When we cultivate trust, we create space for positivity to flourish. As Rabbi Nachman of Breslov famously said: “If you believe that it is possible to break, believe that it is also possible to repair.”

Parashat Vayelech reminds us that the truest positivity is not naïve optimism, but a mindset anchored in faith: the belief that HaShem is with us in every moment, and that every challenge can lead to new beginnings.

In conclusion, like Moshe, we can choose to focus not on what limits us, but on what empowers us. Developing a positive mindset means turning endings into opportunities for growth, and facing the unknown with courage, trust, and joy in HaShem’s presence. A positive mindset is also cultivated by combining inner strength with courage, and by remembering that we never walk alone. Just as Moshe’s parting words shifted Israel’s perspective, we too can choose to frame our lives with trust and optimism, knowing that HaShem is with us at every step.