The Long Goodbye

Nitzavim 
Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Moses continues his farewell to the people.  He tells them that this day they stand before God concluding their covenant.  Moses informs the people that the covenant is not only mamde with them, but also with those not present.  All Israel past, present, and future is bound to the covenant for all time.

Moses foretells of a future rebellion against God's covenant and describes the evils that will then befall the Israelites.  After a time, the people will repent and God will restore them back to the Land in blessing.

The portion closes with Moses telling the people that they have a choice between life and prosperity or death and adversity.  In choosing to obey God's commandments, the people choose life and will be able to enjoy the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden

For your Shabbat table:

1. Deuteronomy 30:11-14 tells us that everyone is capable of studying and understanding Torah.  A Mishnah states that the study of Torah is the most important thing in a Jewish life because the rabbis believe that studying Torah leads a person to doing other commandments and observances.  How will you continue to learn about Judaism after you finish Religious School?
   
   
2. The Hebrew root, shoov (shin, vav, vet), meaning to turn or return, occurs seven times in the first ten verses of chapter 30 - this is also the root of the word t'shuvah, which is often translated as repentence.  It isn't surprising, then, that this portion (Deut. 29:9-14; 30:11-20) is sometimes used as a reading on Yom Kippur.  How do you prepare for the High Holy Days?  What do these important days in our Jewish calendar mean to you?