When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This week I learned about Parashat Nitzavim (נִצָּבִים) and Parashat Vayelech (וַיֵּלֶךְ), the 51st and 52ndh weekly Torah portions in the annual cycle of Torah readings.
I also learned that the lunisolar Hebrew calendar contains up to 55 weeks, the exact number varying between 50 in common years and 54 or 55 in leap years. According to Wikipedia, in some years (next in 2025), Parashah Nitzavim is read separately. In other years (like 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2027), Parashah Nitzavim is usually combined with the next parashah, Vayelech, to help achieve the number of weekly readings needed. However, if two Sabbaths fall between Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot and neither Sabbath coincides with a Holy Day, then Nitzavim and Vayelech are read separately.
According to Wikipedia, Nitzavim (נִצָּבִים), Deuteronomy 29:9 through 30:30, contains 2,123 Hebrew letters, 553 words, 40 verses and makes up 72 lines of the Torah scroll. Nitzavim may be small however it carries a big message; Moses tells the Israelites they have a choice between life and death, blessing and curse, and he exhorts them to choose life by loving G-d and heeding His commandments.
In contrast, Vayelech (וַיֵּלֶךְ), Deuteronomy 31:1 through 31:30, contains 5,652 Hebrew letters, 1,484 words, 30 verses and makes up 112 lines of the Torah scroll, giving it the distinction of having the fewest verses of any Parashah in the Torah. In Vayelech, Moses tells the Israelites to be strong and courageous as G-d and Joshua will soon lead them into the Promised Land. The reading also foreshadows the death of Moses.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s double Torah reading, Nitzavim and Vayelech for Shabbat, September 28, 2024 aka 25 Elul 5784:
“These 2 sedrot emphasize the concepts of near and far. Nitzavim begins with the statement that everyone must approach G-d- from the chopper of wood to the drawer of water. We must make the effort to hear and understand the messages which G-d constantly sends us via the Torah. Each person, based on their own personal experiences, has the privilege to understand and interpret the Laws which apply to their personal existence and thus, by doing so, make the Torah their personal guide for living.
Later, in the same Sedra, Ch30 V11-12 it states, “For the commandment which I give you this day- it is not hidden from you and it is not distant. It is not in heaven so you can say who can ascend the heaven……nor is across the sea so you can say who will cross the sea so we can hear it?” Moses is placing special emphasis on the reasons why we must consider the gift of the Torah which we need to accept emotionally and rationally. The power of choice is ours, but we must accept the consequences of good or bad behavior in private as well as public.
As we prepare for the coming New Year, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, may we feel the nearness of Hashem in our own lives and share this with all whom we love Kol Kahal Yisroel- the entire congregation of G-d. Shana Tova Tichtevu V’Techatemu- may we be inscribed and sealed for a year to come of happiness and peace. May our hostages be returned to their families and Israel be victorious over her enemies and all of us live in harmony with one another and with our natural world. Amen.”
Questions for Discussion:
- Ch29 V28 refers to things which are hidden. To what do these refer?
- The theology presented in these Sedrot is somewhat difficult. How does the Torah explain national times of difficulty in terms of G-d’s hidden or revealed nature?
- In Vayelech, we see Moses preparing to pass leadership to Joshua. How is this publicly and privately accomplished?
- What does Moses command Joshua to do with the written copy of the scroll of the Torah? Why is this so significant for future leaders?
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his smicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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