Nitzavim – Peninim on the Torah

“See I have placed before you today the life and the good, and the death and the evil.” (30:15) – “And you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your children.” (30:19)

Once the Torah equates the tov, good, with life itself, it seems unnecessary to adjure us to choose life. After all, what really is the alternative ? Also, why does the Torah implore us to choose life? Would it not have been more significant to say, “Choose good” ? We suggest that the mere fact that life and good are correlated indicates that choosing good is equated with choosing life. In other words, life is not simply a result of choosing good. Choosing a life of “good,” one that is dedicated to Hashem, His Torah and his mitzvos is the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5755

“Rather, the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart to perform it.” (30:14)

The Ramban and Sforno assert that this pasuk relates to the mitzvah of teshuvah, repentance. The heart, the seat of emotion, recognizes when one has sinned, and the mouth expresses this sin through the vehicle of viddui, confession. We must endeavor to understand what goes on in the mind of a rasha, sinner. If teshuvah is so close, why does it remain “so far” from him ? Horav Chaim Shmuelevitz, z.l., contends that man’s ultimate downfall is invariably due to his ability to adapt and become complacent to a situation. By “force of habit” people become set in a routine…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5755

“Lest there be among you a man or a woman, or a family or tribe, whose heart turns away from Hashem our G-d … a root that bears gall and wormwood.” (29:17)

In describing the individual whose arrogance causes him to go astray, the Ramban writes, “Bad roots producing bad growths.” The Ramban views the father as the root and the son as the outgrowth of that root. A child learns to emulate what he sees at home. He values that which is highly regarded at home, and he denigrates that which is reviled by his parents. What he hears, sees, and where he goes, leave a lasting impression on him. Indeed, the child is the proverbial “apple,” which usually does not fall far from the tree. Horav Moshe Swift, z.l., asserts…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5755

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

The Torah names two mundane professions in order to demonstrate the inclusion of all people in the Covenant. One would wonder why, in attempting to describe the all-embracing nature of the Covenant, the Torah chooses two professions that are remarkably similar in nature. Should the comparison not have been from something great to something small — or from something near to something far ? Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., explains that in the Jewish perspective one looks at the world as a circle. Consequently, we take two objects that are of similar nature and say: From this one on the right,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5755

“The heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers… your small children, your wives….” (29:9,10)

Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, z.l., infers from this pasuk the importance of each individual fulfilling his potential commensurate with his station in life. He cites Rav Chaim Volozhiner, z.l., who interprets the tefillah of Rosh Ha’Shanah, – “u,sepu aht vagn”w lhbpk tc rumhv kf rfz hf“For when the remembrance of everything fashioned comes before You: everyone’s deeds and mission,” in the following manner: Everyone has a specific position in life. An individual may have a profession with a leadership role, a position in the field of education, a role as a parent or grandparent raising children, or simply the task…

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“See I have placed before you today the life and the good, and the death and the evil.” (30:15) – “And you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your children.” (30:19)

“Rather, the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart to perform it.” (30:14)

“Lest there be among you a man or a woman, or a family or tribe, whose heart turns away from Hashem our G-d … a root that bears gall and wormwood.” (29:17)

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

“The heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers… your small children, your wives….” (29:9,10)

YEARS

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