This week we read Parashat Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20), in which Moses gathers the entire people of Israel—men, women, children, and even the strangers in their midst—to reaffirm the covenant with HaShem. The message is one of unity and responsibility: each person, no matter their status, is bound together in the destiny of our people. Moses reminds us that “it is not in the heavens” – the Torah and its teachings are not far away, but close to us, in our mouths and in our hearts, so that we may live by them.
In our modern context, these words carry deep resonance. For our family in Israel, standing together as one people is both a source of strength and resilience in challenging times. For the Jewish diaspora, the parashah reminds us that we are bound to Israel and to one another through shared covenant, history, and destiny. At a time when Jewish communities worldwide face unique challenges, whether of safety, identity, or unity, Nitzavim calls us to stand strong, proud, and together, reaffirming our connection to HaShem, to our people, and to our values.
We wish you all a Shanah tovah u’metukah, a good and sweet new year!