by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 6, 2015 | Nitzavim
This week’s portion continues with the theme of renewing the covenant between the Children of Israel and God. Moses addresses the entire nation directly, delineating the specific groups — man, woman, child; elder, convert, servant — who are present,...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 6, 2015 | Nitzavim
After warning the people what will befall them if they stray from God’s service, Moses reassures them that all is not lost. When these things befall the nation, they will be moved to return to God. God will then bring them back from exile among the nations and restore...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 6, 2015 | Nitzavim
Just in case everything he has told them seems impossible, Moses tells the people that the Torah is imminently accessible to all of them. It is not in heaven or across the sea, where they would need someone to fetch it for them, but it is a choice which God has given...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 6, 2015 | Covenant, Nitzavim, Israel, Redemption
This week’s portion is one of the shortest in the Torah, with a mere 40 verses (next week’s Vayelech has only 30). Even when the two are combined, which happens most years, they number fewer verses than most other single portions. The verses themselves, however, are...