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כי המצוה הזאת... לא נפלאת היא ממך ולא רחוקה היא לא בשמים... ולא מעבר לים... כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Nitzavim, 5775

For this mitzvah… it is not hidden and it is not distant… it is not in Heaven… nor is it across the sea… rather, the matter is very close to you. (30:11-14)

The Ramban interprets “this mitzvah” as a reference to the mitzvah of teshuvah, popularly called repentance. The word teshuvah is thrown about very much at this time of year. It is especially appropriate on this last Shabbos of the year to focus on its meaning and necessary impact on our lives. The word repentance is a powerful word and truly does not define the essence of teshuvah. The process of teshuvah is the process of return. Thus, a baal teshuvah is not simply a “born again”–  repentant — person, but rather, someone who is returning – either to his original…

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Home -> 5775 -> Nitzavim

ראה נתתי לפניך היום את החיים ואת הטוב ואת המות ואת הרע... ובחרת בחיים

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Nitzavim, 5775

See – I have placed before you today the life and the good, and the death and the evil… and you shall choose life. (30:15, 19)

After all, what else should one choose? Why would anyone be so foolish as to choose death? Apparently, some of us remain clueless with regard to the definition of evil and death. Indeed, some still have difficulty distinguishing between good and evil – life and death. Yes, there are those who think that they are very much alive, despite the fact that they are “living” a slow death. The Torah gives us a clue as to the meaning of life when it exhorts us to choose life. Why? Because – “so that you will live, you and your offspring.” In…

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Home -> 5774 -> Nitzavim

ראה נתתי לפניך היום את החיים ואת הטוב ואת המות ואת הרע

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Nitzavim, 5774

See – I have placed before you today the life and the good, and the death and the evil. (30:15)

The Torah informs us that the choice between a life devoted to Torah principles versus one that is not is tantamount to the choice between life and death. Two lessons are to be derived from this pasuk. First, Torah is the path to life; a life without Torah is the path to death. It is as simple as that. Torah is equated with good and life. No Torah is compared to evil and death. Second, the choices are equal. Torah is pure life; no Torah is pure death. They are commensurate. No grey areas exist. It is all black and…

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Home -> 5754 -> Nitzavim

Sruly Schnair
In Nitzavim, 5754

“You are standing this day all of you before Hashem your G-d, your heads, your tribes, all the men of Yisrael… from the hewer of your wood, unto the drawer of your water.” (29:9,10)

The Torah distinguishes among the various kinds of Jews, noting that the profession of each reflects his station in life.  Indeed, the Torah  indicates that all members of the Jewish “body” – from the “head” to the “foot” – were assembled on Har Sinai on that auspicious day. The Baal Ha’Tanya mentions that, at times, the “foot” will assume the role  of the “head”. Metaphorically, although the head gives guidance to the foot, it is the foot which actually leads and carries the head and the rest of the body from place to place.  Consequently, in the spiritual realm, it…

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Home -> 5754 -> Nitzavim

Sruly Schnair
In Nitzavim, 5754

“And it came to pass when he heard the words of this curse that he bless himself in his heart saying: ‘I shall have peace, though in stubbornness of my heart do I walk that the water be added (unto him) with the dry.'” (29:18)

Rashi explains that Hashem will increase the retribution against the infidel in the following manner: The sins he had committed inadvertently, which in the past had been overlooked by Hashem, would be added to the accounting of his deliberate sins.  He cites Targum Onkelos who concurs that the unintentional sins would be added to the intentional ones.  We must endeavor to understand the intensity of this punishment.  What is really so harsh about this punishment? The Satmar Rebbe z.l. offers a novel interpretation of this pasuk. Chazal explain that this “curse” and bris, covenant, refer to the agreement Hashem made…

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Sruly Schnair
In Nitzavim, 5754

“For the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it.” (30:14)

There is a Midrash on the above pasuk which is particularly relevant at this time of year. Everyone is seeking areas in which to improve. Eliyahu Ha’Navi relates that he was once travelling from region to region, when he came across a man who sneered at him. Eliyahu was taken aback and immediately questioned the individual, “What will you respond to Hashem on the Day of Judgement?” The man quickly responded, “I have a simple answer to give my Father in Heaven. I will tell Him that I was not given sufficient understanding or intelligence to allow me to master…

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Home -> 5773 -> Nitzavim

והיה בשמעו את דברי האלה הזאת והתברך בלבבו לאמר שלום יהיה לי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Nitzavim, 5773

And it will be that when he hears the words of this imprecation, he will bless himself in his heart, saying, “Peace will be with me.” (29:18)

People invariably delude themselves into thinking that it will happen to someone else. One can go merrily about his miserable life, doing what he wants, ignoring the admonitions and punishments that are slowly creeping up on him. When he wakes up from his delusion, it is often too late. Hashem has given him every opportunity to return, but he is ignoring it. While this is true for most, there are those who, because they are under the influence of a misguided leader, sadly follow him until they all descend to infamy. A classic case of the above would be the…

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Home -> 5773 -> Nitzavim

ושבת עד ד' אלקיך ושמעת בקלו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Nitzavim, 5773

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice. (30:2)

The Torah admonishes the sinner to repent. The encouragement often comes in the guise of physical, emotional and financial challenges. Yet, there are those who ignore the message, claiming that it either is not addressed to them, or it really is not a message. It is simply “one of those things” that happen to the best of us. Just forget about it. The believer, however, knows better. Nothing “just happens.” Whatever occurs in our lives is meant to be and is most often a call from Hashem to get our spiritual act together. If so, why does the person not…

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Home -> 5772 -> Nitzavim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Nitzavim, 5772

“From the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water.” (29:10)

Everybody was present that day, from the woodcutter to the water carrier. Is this the correct sequence? Should it not be worded, “From your leadership all the way down to your woodchoppers” or “From your goldsmiths to your woodchoppers”? One would think that the woodchopper and water carrier are basically on an equal level. Shivim Panim LaTorah suggests the following idea: When the ax is raised up over the head of the woodchopper, the “ax” would never consider that it is higher or more distinguished than the woodchopper, because the woodchopper is the one who is raising it up. Likewise,…

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