September 19, 2025 · כ׳ו אלול תשפ״ה
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA Parshat Nitzavim takes place right before Moshe Rabbeinu finishes giving his final speech to Bnei Yisrael. All the Jewish people are standing together: men, women, children, leaders, workers, and even the woodcutters and water carriers. Moshe tells them that they are all standing before Hashem to make a special brit (covenant or promise) with Him. This brit means that the Jewish people promise to always be Hashem’s nation and follow His Torah, and Hashem promises to always be their loving and caring G-d.
ONE BIG IDEA In Parshat Nitzavim, Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael that the Torah isn’t far away—it’s not in the sky or across the sea. It’s very close, “in your mouth and in your heart to do it.” This means that every Jew can keep the Torah, and Hashem knows we can do it! He doesn’t ask us to do things that are too hard. When we try our best to pray, learn Torah, and help others, we are doing what Hashem wants. Even small mitzvot, like being kind or saying a short prayer, are very important and special in Hashem’s eyes. Every good choice we make brings us closer to Him!
Nitzavim · נצבים
Moshe reminds the people that they are about to enter Eretz Yisrael (Israel), and it’s very important that they don’t follow the ways of the nations that worship idols. If they turn away from Hashem, bad things might happen. But Moshe also gives them hope: even if they make mistakes and go far from Hashem, they can always do teshuvah: return to Hashem with their hearts and do better. Hashem will always take them back with love. Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael that keeping the Torah is not too hard. He says, “It is not in the sky or across the sea.” This means the Torah is close to us, and we can all learn it and follow it with our hearts and actions. At the end of the parsha, Moshe gives a powerful message: “I have placed before you life and good, and death and bad. Choose life!” He is telling us that we should always make good choices: doing mitzvot, learning Torah, being kind, and listening to Hashem. Parshat Nitzavim teaches us that every Jew is important, and we all have a part in the Torah. No matter who we are or where we’ve been, Hashem wants us to come close to Him. The Torah is not far away. It’s right here, in our mouths and hearts, just waiting for us to learn it and live by it!
TIMES - זמנים Candle-lighting: 6:40pm Havdalah: 7:33pm allah: 5:25pm