Nitzavim – Peninim on the Torah

“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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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

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

“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)

“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)

YEARS

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