1. The Unique Nature of the Last Shabbos of the Year
This week’s Torah and Tea covers the double portion of Nitzavim—Standing Firm, and Vayelech—And He Went. There is something unique about this Shabbos: it is the last Shabbos of the year, with Rosh Hashanah falling on the following Shabbos. Typically, on the last Shabbos before a new month, we observe Shabbos Mevorkhim—the Shabbos that blesses the coming month. In many communities, especially Chabad, it is customary to recite the entire Tehillim—Book of Psalms, and in the Mussaf prayer we offer profound blessings for the upcoming month.
However, before Rosh Hashanah, we do not have Shabbos Mevorkhim. We do not recite the special blessings for the new month or for the new year as we do before every other month. The Baal Shem Tov explains that on this particular Shabbos, Hashem Himself blesses us directly. While a Jew can bless with power given by Hashem, it is not comparable to receiving a blessing straight from Hashem. The blessing we receive on this Shabbos empowers us to bless all other months throughout the year.
2. The Absence of Shofar Blowing on Shabbos Rosh Hashanah
This year, Rosh Hashanah begins on Shabbos, and as a result, we do not blow the shofar on that day. This raises an important question: why would such a central mitzvah be omitted? The shofar is not only a mitzvah but also carries deep significance—it represents crowning Hashem as our King. Although we blow shofar on Sunday (the second day), from a Torah perspective, only Shabbos is truly Rosh Hashanah this year.
The answer lies in understanding that when we are unable to perform a mitzvah due to circumstances beyond our control (such as halachic prohibitions), Hashem Himself fulfills it for us in a higher way. Chassidus teaches that while we may lack the physical sound of shofar on Shabbos Rosh Hashanah, Hashem “blows” the shofar above for us. Similarly, just as Hashem gives us His direct blessing before Rosh Hashanah instead of our own Shabbos Mevorkhim, so too does He fulfill what we cannot accomplish ourselves.
3. The Blessing of Standing Firm Together: Atem Nitzavim Hayom
Every year before Rosh Hashanah, we read “Atem nitzavim hayom—You are all standing today.” While “standing” in Hebrew could be “omed,” “nitzavim” implies standing firmly and resolutely. As explained by the Baal Shem Tov, this means that Jews stand strong and united as they approach judgment on Rosh Hashanah.
The Zohar interprets “today” as referring to Rosh Hashanah itself—a time when Hashem gives us strength to withstand judgment and assures us that if we stand together (kulchem—all of you), no force can break us. The famous parable of sticks illustrates this: united together they cannot be broken; separated individually they are easily snapped. This unity encompasses all categories within Klal Yisrael—leaders and simple folk alike—and forms part of Hashem’s blessing for victory and endurance in judgment.
4. Nitzavim and Vayelech: Standing Firm Yet Moving Forward
This year both Nitzavim and Vayelech are read together before Rosh Hashanah. Uniquely among double portions, these two are essentially one parsha sometimes split into two readings. Their combination teaches an important lesson: while Nitzavim represents standing firm and anchored in faith and unity, Vayelech—“and he went”—represents movement and progress.
This duality seems paradoxical: how can one stand firm yet move forward? Chassidus explains that every aspect of Torah and mitzvos contains both elements—a need for steadfastness (being anchored) and a need for continual growth (moving forward). In our relationship with Hashem there is an unchanging core (“I am Hashem who does not change”), yet from our human perspective there must always be renewal—greater depth in mitzvos, more passion in davening, deeper learning in Torah.
5. Growth Within Stability: Lessons from Torah and Life
The Rebbe teaches that although Torah itself never changes—its words are fixed—our engagement with it must always deepen and expand. Mitzvos too remain constant in number but can always be performed with greater love (ahava) and intention (
This concept is illustrated by stories such as that of travelers relying on a signpost at a crossroads: if you remove or alter your anchor point (the Torah), you lose your way entirely. Similarly in life’s journey—whether spiritual or practical—we must remain anchored yet always ready to move forward when necessary.
6. Discovering Treasure at Home: The Search for Meaning
A classic story highlights this theme: A man dreams repeatedly about treasure buried far away under a bridge but discovers after much searching that his true treasure lies at home in his own backyard. Many young people search far afield for meaning or fulfillment—sometimes drawn to alternative lifestyles or spiritual movements—but ultimately find their deepest satisfaction within their own heritage.
The message is clear: everything needed for fulfillment—physically, spiritually, emotionally—is already present within Torah and mitzvos if only one takes time to discover it at home rather than seeking elsewhere.
7. Experiencing Yiddishkeit: Hakhel and Writing a Sefer Torah
The Rebbe discusses why two final mitzvos appear at the end of the Torah: hakhel—gathering all Jews together every eighth year—and writing a sefer Torah. These are not just intellectual exercises but experiential mitzvos meant to involve every Jew personally.
The key lesson is that true connection comes through experience rather than knowledge alone—living Judaism rather than merely learning about it ensures its survival across generations. For example, experiencing Shabbos firsthand leaves an indelible impression beyond any theoretical study.
8. A Blessing for Experiential Growth in the New Year
As we approach Rosh Hashanah and a new year ahead, let us hope this will be a year where we truly experience Hashem’s presence—through living Torah values deeply and performing mitzvos with feeling—and grow ever more connected to Him.
Blessings are extended for a good and sweet year (sima tovah u’mesukah). There will be one more class before next year’s cycle begins after which learning will continue anew.