B"H

Thursday, Elul 23, 5784 / September 26, 2024

This Shabbat, which is the last Shabbat of the year, 5784, we read two Parshiot, Nitzavim & Vayeilach. They are both small Parshiot for a total of 70 verses.

Parshat Nitzavim was said by Moshe to the entire congregation of Israel on the day of his passing. On that day, Moshe gathered together the entire congregation and said to them, "You are standing this day, all of you, before the L-rd your G-d: Your heads, your tribes, your elders, your officers all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, your stranger that is in the midst of your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the one who draws your water; so that you shall enter into the covenant of the L-rd your G-d and unto His oath which the L-rd your G-d makes with you today... Not only with you do I make this covenant and this oath, but with him that stands here with us this day and also with him that is not with us this day."

"You are standing this day all of you..." Moshe describes ten categories, which encompasses every Jew - from the heads of the congregation of Israel to those who serve as laborers. Everyone is important before the eyes of G-d and thus everyone must stand together as one nation and one neshama-spiritual soul in order to pass into the covenant of G-d.

Parshat Nitzavim, is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana for its message is especially important for Rosh Hashana. 

"Nitzavim" expresses a "firm stand," with confidence, and security. Our sages say that to be confident and assured that when we come before G-d on Rosh Hashana - the day of judgment - we will be inscribed for a good and sweet year, we, as a nation must make every effort to stand united amongst ourselves.

A father, on his deathbed, called all his children together and gave each of them a stick. He told them to try and break the stick, which each did with little effort.

Then he took all the sticks and tied them together. "Now try to break them!" he instructed.  No matter how hard they tried they couldn't break the bundle of sticks.

"This is my lesson to you, my dear children.  If each one of you cares only for yourself, it will be easy for the outside forces to break you and destroy you.  But if you stick together, no one will be able to harm you!"

When we come before G-d in judgment on Rosh Hashana, we can overcome any adversity as long as we stay together.   Thus, it is customary, before Rosh Hashana to forgive and ask forgiveness for wrongs which we may have done to each other.  This way, we come as one before G-d and receive His blessings for the New Year. May the New Year bring peace and blessings to us all. Amen

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW