From The Rabbi’s Study… Shabbat September 27,28, 2024/24,25 Elul 5784
Haftarah: (Isaiah 61:10-63:9)
Double Torah Parshiot:
This Shabbat is Selichot, which is a solemn service of prayers asking G-d for forgiveness.
Nitzavim has The Third Discourse of Moses, which includes the G-d will make a covenant with the Israelites, and the people are told to choose life, and have free will.
While Vayelech continues Moses commits the law to the priests and the Levites. Now Moses chooses Joshua as his successor.
The Torah portion speaks about the commitment to the future, and this also implies that the present does commit future generations forever eternally to G-d and G-d’s covenant. The Jewish people’s actions must always keep their historic character, and they are not permitted to deny their past. The word Teshuvah/Repentance states that “you shall return to the Lord your G-d.” (Deuteronomy 30:20 The root Shuv/turn appears seven times in the first ten phrases in Deuteronomy 30!
How interesting that the words from the Torah to return, and repentance are read a week before our High Holidays. It is meant to remind us to return to the right paths as we move forward into the New Year!
The Second Torah parshat,Vayelech, contains the passing on of the leadership role from Moses to Joshua. Moses had two sons, and yet he chose someone that was a competent, brave warrior (he was one of the spies that had a positive outlook about conquering the Promised Land), and demonstrated loyalty worthy to be the leader of the new Nation B’nai Ysrael!
While Israel continues to fight against Hezbollah in the North and Hamas in Southern Gaza, the Jewish people in the diaspora help out by donating, speaking up and writing to their leaders to continue to Stand Strong with Israel. It has been nearly one year since October 7th on Simchat Torah that the terrorist Hamas attacked and took hostages. We pray for the IDF to have B’hatzlacha/continued success in all their endeavors, and rescuing our hostages.
The new saying is “WE SHALL DANCE AGAIN!”
Am Ysrael Chai!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
