1. The Timing and Significance of Parashat Nitzavim
This week’s Torah and Tea focuses on the portion of Nitzavim—“standing.” Nitzavim is always read before Rosh Hashanah. Sometimes, depending on the calendar, we also read Vayelech together with Nitzavim before Rosh Hashanah, but this year it is just Nitzavim. The timing is significant: the themes of this parashah directly connect to the spiritual preparation for the new year.
The word Nitzavim refers to Moshe Rabbeinu gathering all of Bnei Yisrael on the day before his passing to reaffirm the covenant with Hashem. Moshe was concerned that after his death, without a physical leader, the people might stray from the path. Therefore, he assembled everyone—from leaders to simple folk, including even woodchoppers and water carriers—to renew their commitment to Torah and mitzvot for their own good and success.
2. Standing Together Before Hashem on Rosh Hashanah
The opening verse, Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem—“You are all standing today”—is understood by many commentators, including the Zohar, as an allusion to Rosh Hashanah. On this day, all Jews stand together before Hashem in judgment. It is a time when Hashem determines our fate for the coming year, both physically and spiritually.
This is why we always read this parashah before Rosh Hashanah: it reminds us that we stand united as a people before Hashem’s judgment. The phrase kulchem—“all of you”—teaches that our strength lies in unity. Just as a bundle of sticks cannot be broken while a single stick can, so too when Jews are united, we are strong and resilient.
3. The Theme of Choice at the End of Nitzavim
The final section of Nitzavim, read in the seventh aliyah (shvi’i), also connects to Rosh Hashanah’s themes. Besides being a day of judgment, Rosh Hashanah is when Hashem chooses to be King over His people and over the world. We express this in our prayers with phrases like HaMelech HaMishpat, HaMelech HaKodesh, and by asking Hashem to rule over all creation.
The Torah presents us with a choice: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.” If we follow Hashem’s commandments, we are promised life and blessing in Eretz Yisrael; if not, there are consequences. The Torah repeats this message: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses... I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; choose life so that you and your children may live.” This repetition emphasizes that choosing good is not always obvious or easy in our physical world.
4. Rashi’s Parable: Choosing Life Like a Father Guides His Son
Rashi explains this passage with a parable: it is like someone telling his friend (or in another version cited by the Rebbe, his son) to choose the best portion of an inheritance. A father knows which part is best because he owns it and loves his child; he wants only what’s truly good for him. When Hashem tells us what is good for us, He does so as our loving Father who knows what will truly benefit us.
This guidance goes beyond simply pointing out options. Just as a father might take his son by the hand and show him exactly which portion to choose—even placing his hand on it—so too does Hashem guide us toward what is genuinely good for us. In matters where goodness isn’t obvious (unlike nutrition where healthy food can be identified), Hashem sometimes makes it clear for us if we allow ourselves to be guided.
5. The Challenge of Choosing Good Amid Temptation
The Torah’s command to “choose life” acknowledges that making good choices isn’t always straightforward or easy. Often in life it appears that those who do not follow Torah or mitzvot are more successful or enjoy more immediate gratification than those who do. This makes it challenging to see why one should choose a life of Torah observance.
The analogy continues: just as unhealthy food may seem more appealing than healthy options due to instant gratification, so too do material temptations often seem more attractive than spiritual pursuits. Therefore, Hashem doesn’t just tell us what’s good—He sometimes brings us right up to it or even places our hand upon it, but ultimately leaves the final choice up to us.
6. The Rebbe’s Letter: True Satisfaction Through Spiritual Purpose
The Rebbe addressed these struggles in a letter written to young women who found it difficult to give up certain pleasures (like watching TV or going out on Shabbat) for Torah observance. He explained that true satisfaction comes not from immediate pleasure but from fulfilling one’s divine mission in this world—a mission given by Hashem Himself.
The Rebbe emphasized that especially after tragedies like the Holocaust, those who remain have an even greater responsibility to continue what was lost and bring meaning into their lives through connection with Hashem and mitzvot. Sacrifices made for spiritual growth should not be seen as burdens but as opportunities for deeper fulfillment.
7. Trusting Hashem’s Guidance and Praying for Blessings
The message concludes with encouragement: although temptation is strong and challenges abound (as anyone struggling with addiction or difficult habits knows), if Hashem asks something from us He also gives us the power (koach) to accomplish it. Our sages teach that without divine help we could not overcome these challenges alone.
This lesson is especially relevant as we approach Rosh Hashanah: when we pray for life (Zochreinu lechayim) and blessings in the new year, we remember that these come through choosing life—through Torah and mitzvot. We trust that Hashem knows what is best for us as our loving Father who desires only our good.
May we all be blessed with a healthy, happy, sweet new year filled with blessings, success, nachas, fulfillment of all our heart’s desires for good—a year of redemption with the coming of Mashiach speedily in our days!