Parshas
Nitzavim Dvar Torah
Zev
Gotkin
24/Elul/5772
On
this Shabbos before the day of judgment – Rosh Hashanah – I want to share a couple
brief and inspiring thoughts about this week’s Torah portion from the
Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Our
Torah portion – Parshas Nitzavim – opens with “You are standing firmly today,
all of you together, before G-d, your G-d…” The Rebbe comments on the curious language
used in this verse that it is instructing Jews to stand firmly even though they are a small and seemingly vulnerable
nation. In the face of much falseness and hostility in the world toward the
Judaism in the Jewish people Jews must stand their ground proudly and firmly as
representatives of G-d and His Torah. The Rebbe explains that the Jewish people
can only “stand firmly” when they are bound and united, “all of you together.”
However, a difficulty arises when one considers that
there are many different points of view among the Jewish people. There is even
an old saying that proclaims: “Two Jews, three opinions.” This humorous
aphorism contains an important kernel of truth. The Jewish people are made up of
many different individuals with differing nationalities, perspectives,
philosophies, interests, and levels of observance. How can such an amalgamation
of independent individuals become a united people? The answer lies in the later
part of the verse: “Before G-d, your G-d.”
Each and every Jew without exception possesses a Divine Soul that is literally
a part of G-d. The Rebbe reminds us that a person must reflect on this truth
and internalize this idea to such an extent that it leads a Jew to actively
promote unity and good will among Jews.[1]
This is the last Shabbos of the Hebrew
month of Elul and hence the last Shabbos of the year. Elul is a powerful month
when G-d is analyzing our deeds and our commitment with greater scrutiny than
He does during the rest of the year. It is a time for reflection as well as a
time to square our accounts with G-d through teshuva (repentance/return) and
ask forgiveness of people we have wronged during the year. During this month we
rise early to recite the selichos, or penitential prayers. However, Elul is
also a time in which G-d’s presence is more easily accessible. Elul is described
as a time in which “the king is in the field.” G-d is more receptive to our
requests and prayers during this month making Elul a particularly excellent
time to deepen our relationship to our Creator.
Our
parsha informs us that “G-d, your G-d, will ‘circumcise’ your heart and the
heart of your children…(Deuteronomy 30:6)” The Baal HaTurim notes that the
first letters of the words, es levavcha v’es levav (your heart and the heart
[of your children]) spell Elul. The
Baal HaTurim derives from this that the predominant theme of the month of Elul
is teshuva.
However, the Rebbe points out that Chasidic philosophy
approaches this verse from another angle. According to Chasidic thought, the
main theme of Elul is love – how G-d
expresses His deep love for the Jewish people and how the Jewish people
reciprocate that love. This idea is expressed even more explicitly later in the
same verse when it is stated that “G-d your G-d will circumcise your heart…to love your G-d with all your heart and
with all your soul…” (Deut. 30:6).[2]
May we be zoche (meritorious) to internalize the
teachings of the Torah, deepen our relationship with G-d, and strengthen our
relationships with our fellow Jews. Lest one be fearful of failing to live up
to the Torah’s directives, one should take comfort in the verse found later in
our parsha: “This thing [observance of Torah and mitzvos] is very near to you,
in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.” In that spirit let us face the
upcoming year with a renewed passion, enthusiasm, and vigor for serving G-d and
living Jewishly. May our joyful service of G-d hasten the redemption of our
righteous Moshiach!
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