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Torah Portion: PARSHAS NITZAVIM

		PARSHAS NITZAVIM By: Osher Jungreis

MAKE AN ACCOUNTING OF YOUR LIFE SELICHOS - PRAYERS FOR FORGIVENESS This Saturday night we begin to recite the Selichot prayers at midnight and continue to say them every morning until Yom Kippur. The word Selichot means forgiveness. During this period we are called upon to scrutinize our lives and make amends. Obviously, this is easier said than done. Tshuva - repentance, is a three step process: 1) Honest introspection and acceptance of accountability. 2) A willingness and determination to change, and 3) A commitment to the future. While this seems to be a formidable undertaking - demanding much discipline and sacrifice, the good news is that if we are truly desirous of change, HaShem will help us along the way. We need only take the first step and He will do the rest. PARSHAS NITZAVIM – MAKE AN ACCOUNTING OF YOUR LIFE The parsha always shows us the way to realize the challenges of the moment, and this week’s parsha, Nitzavim is no exception; we learn how to prepare for the awesome days of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. The stirring opening words, “Atem Nitzavim HaYom” - “You are standing today” (Deuteronomy 29:9) - speaks volumes. In gematria - numerology - those words also mean “La’amod L’slichos” to stand in front of G-d and seek forgiveness. During the entire year we “run” from place to place, from activity to activity, and some of us run from relationship to relationship. But now, G-d’s day of judgment is upon us and we are commanded to stand still, probe our souls, examine our hearts, and give an accounting of our lives. The passage goes on to enumerate the various strata of the population: the leaders, the elders, the officers, the men, the women, the children, the proselytes, the hewer of wood, the drawer of water – and the question that arises is that since the Torah already mentioned that all of us are standing before G-d, what is the purpose of this enumeration which at first glance appears to be redundant? The answer given is once again a prescription for this High Holiday season. We are all responsible one for the other. Our destiny is intertwined, so we must pray, not only for ourselves, but for K’lal Yisroel - all our people. This is especially relevant today when our brethren in Israel are in such a desperate state. We must bear in mind that when we study Torah and observe mitzvos, our entire nation is elevated and enriched. But tragically, the converse is also true; our abandonment of Torah and lack of observance diminishes the entire nation. There is a posuk - passage, in this week’s parsha that we repeat during the High Holiday services which truly teaches us our responsibilities: “The hidden matters are for G-d, but the revealed are for us” (Deut. 28:28), meaning that that which a person does privately and of which others have no knowledge, for that we cannot be held accountable - but that which is public and known, and is countenanced - for that we are held liable, and our silence testifies against us. We have a responsibility to remind one another of our G-d given destiny, of our Jewish heritage. So let’s approach Rosh HaShana with commitment to all our people Let us try to bring our brethren closer to HaShem. Let us unite in love and genuine concern, and in that merit, the Almighty will surely grant us a good, blessed New Year. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Osher Parshas Nitzavim 22 Elul 5763 Candle Lighting Time, Fri. September 19, 6:41 PM Shabbos ends Sat. September 20, 7:49PM _________________________________________________________________________________ This Rosh HaShana be sure that your prayers soar Sign up now for the incredible HINENI HIGH HOLY DAY SERVICES at The Pierre Hotel followed by festive holiday meals Join us for Selichot Services at Hineni Saturday night, September 20, 10:30 PM Special Showing of the Amazing Film Relentless - The Struggle for Peace in Israel Collation - Inspiring Selichot Services to Follow