This week’s Parsha Nitzaveem begins with the following: “You (the Bnei Yisrael) are all standing here today”. The Medrash explains these words as follows: (At the end of last week’s Parsha Ki Tavo) the Bnei Yisrael had just finished hearing a long list of horrible punishments that will befall them if they do not follow the mitzvot. They were so scared of these punishments that they turned green with fear!
Moshe, upon seeing the Bnei Yisrael’s reaction, calms them down. Moshe says, “You are standing here today”. Why is it that you are still standing (existing)? Why were you not wiped out by the tortures of the Egyptians or exterminated in the harsh climate of the desert? Why is it that other, more powerful nations are destroyed, why do they come and go, yet we (a small nation) remain? Moshe answers that the reason Bnei Yisrael still exists is because of the punishments that they were so fearful of. When Hashem punishes the other nations, they rebel and they do not admit that Hashem caused the punishment. However, when you (the Bnei Yisrael) are punished, you humble yourselves and pray to Hashem for help. When troubles and tragedies befall us (G-d forbid), our reaction is to think about what we have done wrong to deserve this punishment, and then pray to Hashem for help.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we can use the Parsha message to better appreciate the good and the bad times that befall us. When we review our actions of the past year, we should look at our good deeds with pride and continue to do them, and think of ways to improve the quality of those deeds. Regarding the sins and faults that we may have, we should admit that we have done wrong and take responsibility for the negative results that may have come about from these actions. After admitting to our faults, we should humbly ask G-d to help.
Admitting to our sins takes a lot of humility and responsibility. Hashem loves us, especially when we humble ourselves before Him. Rosh Hashanah may be a serious time of judgment, but when we come humbly before Hashem and ask Him to forgive us and grant us a new year, we are confident that Hashem will judge us with kindness and love.
Shanah Tovah,
Kiteevah Vichateemah Tovah
May you be written and sealed for a good year