Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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Although these two parshios are the shortest in the Torah, their message is an important one. After warning the Jewish people about the terrible consequences awaiting them if they transgress the Torah and mitzvos, Moshe had the people make a new covenant with G-d. Although they were already bound by the laws of the Torah, they now accepted arvus (responsibility) upon themselves for one another. A Jew is not only obligated to keep the mitzvos himself, but he is also obligated to make sure that every other Jew keeps the mitzvos too.

When a single Jew sins, there is a collective responsibility upon the whole community. Had they perhaps chastised the sinner, or even better, had they acted in a more appropriate manner themselves, thereby exerting a positive influence, the sinner may have never transgressed in the first place. This is what is meant by the popular phrase, “All Jews are responsible for each other.”

Moshe foretold that after the nation would experience the repercussions of their deeds, they would be aroused to return to G-d. G-d will accept their repentance and gather the people from throughout the exile and return them to Israel with great blessing.

Moshe further encouraged the people to observe the Torah, saying that it was not too difficult for them to do so. The Torah is not in the heavens or across the seas making it too difficult to achieve, Rather it is within the capacity of every Jew to be able to accomplish, if they just put forth the effort.

In closing, Moshe reminded the people that the choice of keeping the Torah is nothing less than choosing between good and bad, life and death. If the Jewish people keep the mitzvos properly they will merit eternal life, and if they do not, the result will be death, not merely for the present but also for the future.

This responsibility for the future is also the reason for one of the details of the mitzvah of hakhel, the gathering of the entire nation in Jerusalem every seven years. The Torah says that every man, woman, and child are to appear in Jerusalem where the king reads the Torah. Although an infant is incapable of understanding the proceedings, it is important that the parents at least make an effort to set the stage and create the right environment for their child’s future development.

“...You should choose life, . .” (Deut. 30:19)

The Kelmer Maggid offered a parable: Imagine if word got out that all the dead would be given a chance to return to life for one hour. Families and friends would flock the cemetery, eagerly awaiting that moment when they could greet their beloved ones. But how do you think the deceased themselves would respond to this reprieve?

Chances are, returning from the World of Truth, and appreciating the value and importance of every mitzvah, they would respond differently. After a quick embrace of their families and friends, they might excuse themselves because there is so much they must accomplish in a short time, and then they would run to study Torah and perform mitzvos.

The Maggid concluded that we, who are living in this world, yet are not even guaranteed one hour of life, must certainly learn to value the time allotted to us, and not squander a moment.

Did You Know...

During the Ten Days of Repentance, a person should be more meticulous in his or her mitzvah observance. One should certainly make an effort to pray with a minyan, and with greater concentration.

Even details and stringencies one is not careful about the rest of the year, should be carefully observed during these days. This shows that our intent is to fulfill all of G-d’s instructions, although we may not be able to observe everything all the time.

One should also make an effort to placate any person he or she might have hurt throughout the course of the year. Although Yom Kippur atones for one’s sins, it cannot atone for sins between man and his friend until a person seeks forgiveness.