Nitzavim – Vayelech – Paralysis or Moving forward
One of the hardest aspects of the Corona Pandemic that we are living through right now is the constantly changing rules and restrictions (which of course have just changed again).
It not only affects our practical plans but for many people a level anxiety has begun to creep into life which really affects ones emotional well-being and mental health.
I think the name of this week’s portion really encapsulates what is happening to us as individuals, as a community and as a society.
This week’s parsha is a double portion -Nitzavim Vayelech and the meaning of the two words creates a contrast.
Nitzavim means standing. Vayelech means walking or moving.
For me the pandemic makes me feel like time is “standing still”. For some they may feel like they are being held still in a stress position unable to proceed normally with their lives.
In contrast to Nitzavim we have Vayelech which is a about moving forward with our lives. Moses speaks to the people on his 120th birthday and the day of his death to tell them that although his journey is coming to an end, the people’s journey is only just beginning. They will cross the river Jordan under the leadership of Joshuah. They will destroy their enemies. He concludes his opening words with
“Be strong and courageous! Neither fear, nor be dismayed of them, for the Lord, your God He is the One Who goes with you. He will neither fail you, nor forsake you”
The message for us is so relevant and timely. We may feel paralysed from “crossing our own river Jordan’s” and proceeding with our lives, but ultimately Hashem will move us forward, this time destroying our invisible enemy – Corona. We have the choice to hold on tight to our faith in Hashem who guides every detail of our lives. For this we need to be strong and courageous.
Finally it is worth noting that Nitzavim -standing- in the actual context of the verse has a very powerful connotation.
| To quote the opening verses:
“You are all standing this day before the Lord, your God the leaders of your tribes, your elders and your officers, every man of Israel, |
| your young children, your women, and your convert who is within your camp both your woodcutters and your water drawers, |
| that you may enter the covenant of the Lord, your God, and His oath, which the Lord, your God, is making with you this day, |
| in order to establish you this day as His people, and that He will be your God, as He spoke to you, and as He swore to your forefathers to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” |
We always read Nitzavim the week prior to Rosh Hashana when we too stand before Hashem to re-establish our relationship with Hashem (through sincere Teshuva) – creator of the Universe.
These verses are the most inclusive in the whole Torah. The Torah enumerates in detail what “all of you” refers to. NO ONE is excluded from the covanent with Hashem. From the leadership down to the humble water drawer, as well as all generations. everyone is identified. All strata of society.
Continues the verse:
| “not only with you am I making this covenant and this oath, |
| with those standing here with us today before the Lord, our God, and [also] with those who are not here with us, this day.” |
Of cours ethe literal understanding of the above verse refers to future generations of Jews. We call this Jewish continuity. But in light of Covid we can understand this verse as referring to those unable to join together with the community due to health concerns or other reasons.
The torah is teaching is that even if you are unable to stand together physically in Shul this year. we are still standing together spiritually as one people with one purpose. We are still all connected.
Please God in the coming year we will be able to start moving forward (Vayelech) and make our lives holy and meaningful. This is why Jewish law is called Halacha- It’s the way forward to ensure that our souls are lifted above the mundane to become ennobled and elevated by the light of Hashem’s Torah and Mitvzot.
Shabbat Shalom & Shanna Tova