Parshas Nitzavim (5760)

Bs”d

Parshas Nitzavim (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The importance and significance of the Parsha is evident from the name—Nitzavim. We are at the threshold of the yom hadin and about to stand before HaShem proclaiming His kingdom, and in judgment. “Atem Nitzavim Lifnei HaShem”—you are standing today all of you before HaShem. The continuity of the sedra is in the same vein, a conglomeration of very basic foundations and principles. For example–“Limaan Sefos HaRava Es HaTzemaya” –the Ramban explains that if a person indulges in physical lusts that he really doesn’t have an attraction for, he will develop a yearning and lust for items and in areas that naturally he would not be attracted to; which really amounts to a type of perversion.

In the Medrash Rabba many of the Chazal show the high priority of limud HaTorah which also reflects the basic foundation. Both the Nefesh HaChayim and the Baal HaTanya explain that the Torah is the essence of HaShem. So standing before HaShem is standing before His Torah. The greatest connection to HaShem is by learning his Torah. By doing so, we are connected to our source of life and blessings.

In a way Rosh HaShana is the most important day in the year. We are proclaiming HaShem as King of the Universe, and submitting ourselves to His rule. The high point of the day is the blowing of the shofar. There is an aspect of this mitzvah that is important to make note of. The ‘shevarim’ and ‘teruos’ are sounds of crying. We can get absorbed in the many technical aspects of this mitzvah without asking ourselves what are we crying for. Is it just some technicality to make a crying sound?

We are crying for the numerous contemporary tzaros;
The physical ailments—tumors—heart disease—car accident victims—army and terrorist casualties—the widows and orphans—the suffering and heartache—shalom bayis problems; the animosity, the divorce and the horror that follows. Singles not finding mates, married couples without offspring, children going astray; financial disasters.

In the crying of the shofar our focus should be petitioning Hashem to reestablish the world anew, fresh and free from blemishes. “Ki Hu Chayecha ViOrech Yamecha: (30:20).

A wonderful year to you all together with Klal Yisroel.