Parashat Nitzavim
Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20

Topics (click on any link)
Synopsis of the Torah portion
Spiritual insights into Parashat Nitzavim
Key verses
Creative Midrash for Parashat Nitzavim

Moses further warns the people that future visitors and inhabitants of the land will ask why it is so devastated, and they will be told that the present generation forsook the covenant by turning to serve other gods and worshipping them. God became incensed at that land and brought upon it the curses recorded in this Teaching. God uprooted the people from the land and hurled them into other lands where they remain to this day.

Chapter 30
As we approach the end of Deuteronomy, God offers consolation for the Israelite nation who violated the commandments in the land that the Lord has given. At any time, if the children of Israel are willing to repent of they’re evil ways and restore their observance of the commandments, God will restore their fortunes and take them back in love; He will bring the people back to the land from where they have been scattered. The Lord delights in the well being of the people as He did with their fathers, but they must continue to observe the commandments.
Moses makes clear that these instructions are not too difficult to obey nor it too enigmatic nor is it in the heavens; actually the law is very close at hand, in the mouths and in the hearts of the people. He offers them the choice of life and prosperity or death and adversity. Moses implores them to choose life, by loving the Lord your God and heeding His commands.

Spiritual insights into Parashat Nitzavim                       return to top of page
You may have noticed that in recent Parshiot in the book of Deuteronomy that the words “this day” repeat quite often, like in the verse “You stand this day, all of you, before the Lord your God” (Deut. 29:9) that opens Nitzavim. This expression alludes to everyone whether they were there when Moses spoke those words or not, as indicated by the verse, “but both with those who are standing here with us this day before the Lord our God and with those who are not with us here this day” (Deut 29:14).  It is not too farfetched to suggest that “this day” means here and now for the past and the future. It also implies the spiritual concept that past and future are all here right now.

Chapter 30 in Nitzavim teaches us that these commandments that are enjoined upon us are within our realm of ability. In verses 11_14 the Torah tells us, “Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach.  It is not in the heavens, that you should say, "Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?"  Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?"  No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.

Finally , I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life — if you and your offspring would live Deut 30:19). Just as it is not too difficult to perform the statutes and commandments, the Torah is emphasizing for the last time in our cycle of readings that our life can be made astonishingly joyous, without problems or suffering, by fulfilling the Law.

Key Verses                        return to top of page
This page is not a commentary on the text, but a chance for you to express your own comments and feelings in order to gain deeper insight into your own life.

Deuteronomy 29:28
Concealed acts concern the Lord our God; but with overt acts, it is for us and our children ever to apply all the provisions of this Teaching.
Food for thought:
1. What do we learn from this verse? What do you think it means?
2. Is what we think as sinful as what we do?
3. Do you believe that if no one knows what you think or what you do, you have not transgressed?

Deuteronomy 30:6
The Lord your God will open your heart and the hearts of your offspring to love the Lord your God, with all your heart and soul, in order that you may live.
Food for thought:
1. Do you think that this verse assumes you cannot love God, unless your heart is open?
2. What do you think opening the heart means?
3. What do you have to do to get your heart opened?

Deuteronomy 30: 11
Surely this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?”
Food for thought:
1. Do you think we understand the meanings behind the commandments, or contrary to what the verse says, they are too baffling?
2. Do you think that the Rabbinic sages, have gone up to heaven (to contemplate), to bring the meanings down to us?
3. Does the teaching of the Torah relate to heavenly matters (spirit and soul) or does it have meaning for us here on earth?

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—if you and your offspring would live, by loving the Lord your God, heeding His commands, and holding fast to Him. For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure upon the soil that the Lord your God swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to give to them.
Food for thought:
1. If we have a choice between life and death, why are we commanded to choose life? Wouldn’t everybody choose life, rather than death?
2. Do you think that the conditions of loving the Lord and heeding His commandments are too much to enable us to choose life?
3. Do you think the Torah is talking about physical life and death? What are some other possibilities the Torah may be alluding to?

Additional questions to ponder:
1. What is it about the story, a verse, a word that seems to resonate with some aspect of your life?
2. Is there something about the story that rings a bell?
3. Can you recall experiences in your life when you have experienced something similar to this story?
4. How would you describe the characters in the story? Who do you know who's like them?
5. Can you personally identify with any one of the characters in the story? Which one?
6. Can you find a similarity between yourself and all the characters in the story?

Reflections:
The Rabbis of old would meditate on such questions, sometimes for weeks at a time, to help find deeper meaning in the
verses. You may wish to contemplate just one or a few of these questions at a time, rather than tackling them
all. In what ways we any of your responses to the questions personally meaningful?

Suggestion:
Some of the questions here are of a personal nature which in some cases could be emotionally upsetting. If so, try
relaxing your body as much as possible and takes long slow breaths of air. That usually helps to relieve anxiety.

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Creative Midrash on Parashat Nitzavim                          return to top of page
Deuteronomy 30: 16
For I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His laws and His rules, that you may thrive and increase, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land in which you are about to invade and occupy.

The Rabbis of old would create parables, stories and narrative connections around such selected verses. What do you see between the lines, the sentences and the letters. The following questions can provide a launch pad upon which to create your own meanings of the Torah.

What is this verse telling you? This is probably the most repeated instruction in the entire Torah.  What is it trying to teach? Do these rules apply only the ancient nation or are they valid for us today? Do you think this is really what God wants us to do? Are these Divine commands or are they man made? Do we have a land today that is blessed? If so, are these blessings the result of the Jewish nation following God’s commands or are the blessings as a result of human aspirations and endeavors? Do you think these rules apply only to the ancient Israelites or to you too personally? Do you feel blessed? Is it a result of following the commandments or through your own efforts? What do you think these commandments actually mean: are they a code of law, like the American constitution, or do they have some effect on our souls.