Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30 – Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, September 12, 2020

Rosh Hashanah begins next Friday evening. During the High Holy Days, we come together in larger numbers than at any other time of the year. We know we need to be together. We need the comfort of community and the strength of the Jewish tradition in the important moments of our lives.
This year, we will come together over the internet rather than in person. It will not be the same, but it is still important to be in community. In this week’s Torah portion, our last one before Rosh Hashanah, we read, “You stand this day, all of you, before the LORD your God—your tribal heads, your elders and your officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp, from woodchopper to water drawer—” Just as the Israelites all stood before Moses to reaffirm the their relationship with God before entering the Land of Israel, so we will stand together on Rosh Hashanah, reaffirming our commitment to Jewish life – however we choose to live it – before entering the New Year.
Shannah Tovah u’Metukah! May we all be blessed with a good and sweet New Year.