Parashat Nitzavim 5785

by Rabbi Margie Cella

This short parashah is always read on the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hashanah.

Moses has called the entire nation together as he concludes his final speech to them. The men of Israel, their children, their wives, and the strangers who live among them are all gathered as one people to enter into the covenant with God [Deuteronomy 29:9-11]. They will be fulfilling the promise that God had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses says that this covenant is being made not only with those who are physically present, but also with those who are not: all the future generations of Jews not yet born [29:12-14].

Throughout the parashah, the people are reminded of the curses that will come from disobedience and abandoning God, as well as the blessings that will result from returning to God.

Moses assures them that this teshuvah is not hidden from them. Nor is it far off, or in heaven, or even beyond the sea; rather, it is, “very close to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.” [30:1-14] Finally, he calls upon heaven and earth to witness the choice that God has set before them: life and death, blessing and curse. He encourages them to love God, and obey the commandments, because God is your life [30:19-20]. Therefore, he exhorts them to “choose life!”

These past two years, this choice has become even more relevant in a post-October 7 world. For all those who lost their lives on that day and are no longer able to make the choice, for all of the soldiers who have  fallen in battle and can no longer make the choice, for the hostages who were murdered, and for those who are still alive yet unable to choose to live in freedom—we must choose life!

Oseh Shalom, Maker of Peace, may You bring peace to the people of Eretz Yisrael in this new year 5786.