Nitzavim

In this parsha

Moshe gathers the entire people — leaders and laborers, women and children, and even generations not yet born — to enter into the covenant with Hashem. He warns of the desolation that idolatry brings, yet promises that after exile and sincere repentance Hashem will gather the scattered back and circumcise their hearts to love Him. He declares that this teaching is not distant or unreachable but very near, in the mouth and the heart, and sets before them life and death, urging them to choose life.

Themes

• Teshuvah as returning to the root
• Covenant binding all generations
• Opening and sealing the heart
• Opening Torah's wellspring
• Mutual responsibility (arvus)
• The unchanging inner point

Must-read teachings

1. 1Daily Covenant Above TimeRegarding the possuk, "Atem nitzavim hayom" — "You are standing today." The Sfas Emes opens with the word "hayom" (today) from the possuk of Nitzavim, noting it as the key term. In every place where the Torah writes "hayom" — "today" — it r…תרנ"ח
2. 2Teshuvah Heals the WorldsIn the verse, "You are standing this day, all of you" (Devarim 29:9). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse describing Bnei Yisrael standing before Hashem, which he will read as an ongoing reality rather than a one-time event. For the collecti…תרל"ה
3. 3Baalei Teshuvah Receiving Worldly GoodOn the pasuk, "And Hashem your God will make you abundant for good in the fruit of your womb... and the fruit of your land for good..." (Devarim 28:11). The Sfas Emes opens with the pasuk in Nitzavim promising that Hashem will grant abundan…תרמ"ה
4. 4Torah Engraved on the HeartOn the verse, "For the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it" (Devarim 30:14). The piece opens with the verse that the Torah is near to us, accessible in both speech and heart. Rashi explains that t…תרנ"א
5. 5Binding Torah To HashemIn the Midrash: "For this mitzvah" etc. — the one who opens and the one who closes the reading of the Torah recites a blessing, etc., up until: "I did not give you the Torah for your detriment" etc. The Sfas Emes opens by citing the Midrash…תרמ"ו
6. 6Opening And Sealing The HeartIn the Midrash on "For this mitzvah" (Devarim 30:11), it speaks of the One Who opens and Who seals with the Torah. The Midrash, expounding the pasuk "For this mitzvah," describes Hashem as the One Who both opens and seals through the Torah.…תרל"ט
7. 7Opening The Wellspring Of WisdomIn the Midrash on the verse "For this mitzvah" and so on. The Sfas Emes opens by citing the Midrash on the opening verse of the parsha, "For this mitzvah," which he will now expound. "They are life to the one who finds them" (Mishlei 4:22) …תרמ"ד
8. 8Mitzvos Unlock the Torah"For this mitzvah which I command you this day, it is not too wondrous for you" (Devarim 30:11). The Sfas Emes opens with the verse that the mitzvah is not too wondrous or out of reach for a person. And in the Midrash: the one who opens wit…תרס"ד