1. The Gathering Before Moshe’s Passing
This week, we focus on the portion of Nitzavim, and I want to highlight a central point from the first siha—discourse—on this parsha. The parsha opens with the words, Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulchem—“You are all standing today.” Moshe Rabbeinu addresses the Jewish people on the last day of his life, the seventh of Adar, gathering everyone together: the heads, tribes, elders, and all Jews. Rashi explains that Moshe assembled everyone before Hashem—God—on his final day to bring them into a covenant. This act was not just a historical event but established a foundational moment for the Jewish people.
2. The Connection Between Nitzavim and Rosh Hashanah
It is noteworthy that we always read Parshat Nitzavim before Rosh Hashanah. In some years, like this year, Nitzavim and Vayelech are read separately: if Rosh Hashanah falls on Monday or Tuesday, Nitzavim is read before Rosh Hashanah and Vayelech before Yom Kippur. In other years, when Rosh Hashanah falls on different days, both portions are combined and read before Rosh Hashanah. Regardless of the calendar arrangement, Nitzavim is always positioned right before Rosh Hashanah. This consistent placement suggests a deep connection between this parsha and the themes of Rosh Hashanah itself.
The word Hayom—“today”—in our parsha hints at this link. In the Rosh Hashanah prayers we say Hayom Haras Olam—“today is the birth of the world.” The Torah’s use of “today” signals that we are all standing before Hashem on Rosh Hashanah to crown Him as King in unity. Just as Moshe gathered everyone together for a covenant, so too do we gather each year in unity to reaffirm our relationship with Hashem at this pivotal time.
3. Two Levels of Connection with Hashem
The covenant described here was literally formed with the Jewish people on Moshe’s last day, but metaphorically it is renewed every year at Rosh Hashanah. On this day, all Jews stand equally before Hashem—regardless of their level or achievements—because Hashem sits as King in judgment over everyone.
The Zohar teaches that there are three things bound together: Hashem, the Torah, and the Jewish people—three knots connecting them. On a revealed level, our connection to Hashem comes through Torah and mitzvot: Hashem gives us Torah and mitzvot, which connect us to Him. If someone does not observe Torah and mitzvot, it might seem that connection is lost since Torah serves as an intermediary.
However, there is also an inner connection—a direct bond between Jew and Hashem that exists even without Torah as an intermediary. The Zohar’s image of three knots forms a circle: Hashem connects to Torah, Torah connects to Israel, but Israel also connects directly back to Hashem. This deeper connection is what we express through entering into a covenant—especially on Rosh Hashanah—when all Jews stand together equally before God.
4. Equality Before God on Rosh Hashanah
Throughout the year, individuals serve Hashem in unique ways: some excel in learning Torah, others in prayer or giving tzedakah—charity—or other personal strengths. These are individual accomplishments reflecting each person’s talents and efforts.
But on Rosh Hashanah, when we coronate Hashem as King, all distinctions fall away. Whether one is learned or simple, great or humble—all stand equally before Hashem in unity. This is why Moshe says Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulchem: “You are all standing today”—everyone together without distinction—to enter into this special covenant with God.
5. The Meaning of “Nitzavim” – Standing Strong
Rashi notes another nuance in the word Nitzavim. While another Hebrew word for standing is omedim, Nitzavim implies standing strong and firm—like when Yosef describes his dream using this term for upright stalks of grain (Nitzavim alumotai). It conveys permanence and resilience.
This message comes after last week’s parsha detailed many curses (Klalot) that would befall those who stray from Torah. There’s a story about the Alter Rebbe who would always read these passages himself; one year he did not read them aloud and his grandson—the Tzemach Tzedek—became ill from hearing someone else read them because he felt their severity so deeply. When asked why he never fainted when hearing his grandfather read them each year he replied: “When my grandfather reads I don’t hear curses.” The point is that while ordinary people may feel overwhelmed by these warnings—as did Bnei Yisrael after hearing them—Moshe reassures them: “You are still standing strong.” Despite past failures or punishments endured throughout history, Am Yisrael remains resilient and present before God.
6. A Message of Resilience for Every Generation
This lesson applies not only historically but personally as well. Whenever we feel overwhelmed by challenges or discouraged by setbacks—in our lives or in Jewish history—we must remember Atem Nitzavim Hayom Kulchem: you are standing today! Even if individual moments seem difficult or painful, looking at the broader picture reveals our enduring strength as a people.
No matter what hardships arise throughout generations—or within our own lives—we remain steadfast and ultimately see blessing from Hashem. Each year we gather again for Rosh Hashanah as proof that we have endured and will continue to do so with faith in God’s kindness.
7. Blessings for the New Year
I want to conclude by wishing everyone a good year—a year filled with prosperity (parnassah tovah), nachas (joy from children), good health (especially important this year), peace of mind without worry or anxiety about what will be because either things will be good or they already are good! May it be a year where all our desires are fulfilled for blessing and sweetness—K'sivah v'chasima tovah l'shanah tovah u'mesukah—a good inscription and sealing for a sweet new year!