Nitzavim
Parashat Nitzavim opens with Moshe addressing all of the People of Israel together as one (Rashi points out that this was the last day of Moshe’s life). He explains that they have been brought together to set up a covenant with God, “in order to establish you today as a nation for Him, and that He will be a God for you.” Apparently, before he died and before they entered the land of Israel, Moshe felt it was necessary to renew the covenant between the people and God.
Moshe gives a stern warning that they must stay away from idolatry. If they do stray, God will punish them. It will only be after the punishment, when they realize the error of their ways, that they will seek to return to God.
It is certainly appropriate that this Parashah is read the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, since much of it reads like a Tshuva Drasha (a sermon on repentance). Moshe uses a mixture of threatening words on the one hand, and words of inspiration and encouragement on the other. In regards to one who turns to idolatry “…for then the Lord’s anger and jealousy will burn against that man… The Lord will set him aside for evil from among all the tribes of Israel.” But then regarding the possibility for repentance we read “(It) is not hidden from you or distant. It is not in heaven… Nor is it across the sea… Rather the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart to perform it.”
As we approach Rosh Hashanah let us remember that God eagerly waits for all of us; all we have to do is call.
Best wishes for a good and sweet year - Shana Tova Umetuka!
Moshe gives a stern warning that they must stay away from idolatry. If they do stray, God will punish them. It will only be after the punishment, when they realize the error of their ways, that they will seek to return to God.
It is certainly appropriate that this Parashah is read the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah, since much of it reads like a Tshuva Drasha (a sermon on repentance). Moshe uses a mixture of threatening words on the one hand, and words of inspiration and encouragement on the other. In regards to one who turns to idolatry “…for then the Lord’s anger and jealousy will burn against that man… The Lord will set him aside for evil from among all the tribes of Israel.” But then regarding the possibility for repentance we read “(It) is not hidden from you or distant. It is not in heaven… Nor is it across the sea… Rather the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart to perform it.”
As we approach Rosh Hashanah let us remember that God eagerly waits for all of us; all we have to do is call.
Best wishes for a good and sweet year - Shana Tova Umetuka!
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Roz & Marvin H. Weiner Family Campus
3300 Old Court Road | Baltimore, MD 21208
410-486-1900 | mail@bethtfiloh.com
3300 Old Court Road | Baltimore, MD 21208
410-486-1900 | mail@bethtfiloh.com
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Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.
Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.
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