ספר דברים - פרשת נצבים - כט:יב-יד - שני

The verse says, "In order to establish you this day as His people, and He will be your God, as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov." The meaning here is that Hashem is making you His people today, and He will be your God, just as He promised you and swore to your forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov. The verse is emphasizing the establishment of the Jewish people as Hashem's nation, and the fulfillment of the promise made to the Avos.

Rashi comments on the phrase "in order to establish you this day as His people" and asks: Why does Hashem go to such great lengths here, making such grave oaths and severe curses, to warn the Jewish people against idolatry? In other commandments, Hashem simply gives a warning and attaches a punishment if the commandment is transgressed. Here, however, He goes to so much trouble for the purpose of keeping you as His people. The reason is that Hashem promised not to exchange you for another people, so He must ensure your faithfulness to Him. Therefore, He makes these strong warnings and oaths, to keep you as His nation before Him.

Rashi continues on the words "VeHu Yihyeh Lecha LeElokim"—He will be your God. Since Hashem spoke to you and swore to your forefathers not to exchange their offspring for another nation, He therefore binds you with these oaths to ensure your faithfulness. You should not anger Him, because He cannot separate Himself from you. Up to this point, Rashi explains the simple meaning of the parsha. Then Rashi brings the Midrashic explanation: Why is Parshas Nitzavim juxtaposed to the curses in Parshas Ki Savo? Because the Jewish people heard a hundred curses minus two, besides the forty-nine in Toras Kohanim (Vayikra). Their faces turned pale, and they said, "Who can withstand all these?" Moshe began to appease them, saying, "Atem Nitzavim HaYom"—you are standing today. You have angered Hashem many times, but He has not destroyed you, and you are still standing before Him. This is a reassurance that despite everything, Hashem has kept you as His people.

Rashi explains the word "HaYom"—today—means just like this day, which stands, becomes dark, and then shines again. So too, Hashem has illuminated for you in the past and will illuminate for you in the future. The curses and the suffering give you existence and place you before Him. Even the previous parsha, with all its warnings, is ultimately meant as appeasement and reassurance of Hashem's ongoing relationship with you.

The verse says, "You have seen all that Hashem has done." Then it brings another explanation: "Atem Nitzavim"—you are standing. Since the Jewish people were transitioning from one leader to another, from Moshe to Yehoshua, Hashem made them into a standing assembly to strengthen and encourage them. This was done to give them extra motivation and readiness for the transition. Similarly, Yehoshua and Shmuel did the same—Shmuel said, "Stand and let me judge with you." When the people left his leadership and entered the leadership of Shaul, he gathered them and addressed them as a group. The idea is that during times of transition, the people are gathered and strengthened together.

The verse says, "And not with you alone do I make this covenant and this oath." This means that the covenant Hashem is making is not just with those present at that time, but with others as well.

The verse continues, "But with whoever is standing with us here today before Hashem our God, and with whoever is not here with us today." This means that the covenant includes both those present and those not present—future generations as well.

Rashi explains on the words "VeEs Asher Einenu Po"—and with whoever is not here—that this refers to the future generations that will come. The covenant is made with them as well, not just with those standing there at that time.