Parashat Nitzavim (נצבים) — Devarim 29:9 – 30:20. Read on Shabbat, September 25, 2027 (together with Vayelech).
Summary of Parashat Nitzavim
Moshe addresses the people: “You are standing today, all of you, before G-d,” from the leaders down to the water-drawer, in order to enter into the covenant. This covenant is made not with them alone, but also with those who are not present that day. Moshe warns against anyone who thinks in his heart that he is safe while following his inclinations and turning to idols, and he compares this danger to a root that produces poison. He describes the devastated land that future generations and the nations will see; they will ask why G-d acted in this way, and the answer will be: because they forsook the covenant. “The hidden things belong to G-d our G-d, and the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever.” Moshe then announces that when the people, scattered among the nations, return to G-d with all their heart, G-d will bring them back from exile and gather them in; He will circumcise their heart so that they may love Him. Moshe declares that this commandment is neither too difficult nor too far away: it is not in heaven, nor beyond the sea, but “the thing is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.” He concludes by setting before the people life and good, death and evil, and urges them: “You shall choose life,” by loving G-d and cleaving to Him.
The themes
- All together before G-d
- A return that is always possible
- “You shall choose life”
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s lectures on Nitzavim
There are no lectures by the Rav on this parasha yet. Find all available lectures on the Weekly Parasha page.
A question for the Shabbat table
The Torah states that what is asked of us is “not in heaven” but very near: what, then, still seems hard for us to reach?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are in his lectures, linked above.